By Jacob Hayes

NEWBERG --- In a thrilling Northwest Conference match-up, the Bruins came up short against the 11-3 Whitworth Pirates after a final buzzer-beater came up just short in a 92-90 home defeat.

Recap

An exciting game broke out from the tip with George Fox playing their typical fast-paced offensive attack.  Even though they won the tip, some sloppy possessions gave Whitworth an early lead, but back-to-back three pointers from JD Ahlstrom and Quinn Lacey tied the game at 10-10.  Both teams traded fouls, but Whitworth's Garrett Paxton and Garrett Hull hit back-toback threes to go up 23-15.   

The Pirates ballooned the lead to 29-17 after Liam Fitzgerald finished a two-hand dunk, but the

Bruins clawed back with a layup from Ryan Lacey and a tip-in from Quinn Lacey, followed by a Zach Sly three to make it 31-28.  With 3:51 left in the half, Levi Dalzell finished a tough lay-up giving the Bruins the first lead of the night 34-33.  The lead was short-lived, as Whitworth pulled ahead again, but Emilio Mancol and Ahlstrom both hit threes in the final minute, keeping it close going into the half 42-40.

Whitworth started the second half with possession and a score, but George Fox kept it close with a commanding swat rejection from Ryan Lacey.  The Bruins began to employ a full-court press, resulting in two turnovers and with 16:06 left in the half, Ryan Lacey tied it up at 49-49.  Whithworth, however, would not be denied, getting a turnover of their own, making the lead 5449.  It didn't take long for Fox to make a rebuttal though.   The Quinn brothers both hit shots to go up 56-54.  Both teams kept fighting shot for shot, but at the media timeout with 10:22 left, the Pirates had the lead 63-60.

Out of the timeout, George Fox went on a 10-2 run, capitalized by a corner three from Kalu Stricklin, giving the Bruins a 70-65 lead into a second media timeout.  George Fox extended their lead with points from the charity stripe, but with 5:48 left, two threes from Whitworth's Ben College tied the game at 75-75.  Then, in a crazy string of plays, a George Fox turnover was quickly fought back for on a loose ball.  Wesley Reynolds went for a monster dunk right after the scramble that clanked off the rim but was deflected on the rebound off the head of a Whitworth player to Stricklin for an easy lay-up.   

With the game moving into its closing minutes, both teams answered each other shot for shot.   With 2:08 left, a slick out-of-bounds play for the Bruins brought them within one, but the Pirates made quick work in transition to make it 86-83 with 1:06 remaining.  Quick fouls on both team brought the score to 85-87, but with 32.6 remaining, Isaiah Hernandez drew a foul to put the Pirates up four.  Quickly after, Jackson Januik also drew a foul on a three point shot to put the Bruins back to within two, 89-87 with 19.5 remaining.  The game went to a game from the free throw line with Whitworth's Hernandez hitting two more free throws, but Ahlstrom hit a clutch three with 2.8 remaining to bring the Bruins within one.  College was fouled immediately afterwards and missed his first free throw, giving the Bruins a chance to win at the buzzer.  A last-second heave at half court from Ryan Lacey came up just short, giving the Pirates the 92-90 victory.

Top Performers   

Ryan Lacey lead the Bruins with 19 points followed closely behind by Ahlstrom who had 18. Though he struggled from the field in the first half, Januik still served as an excellent floor general and led the Bruins with nine assists while locking up the Pirates' conference-leading scorer, Ben College, whenever he was on the court. Stricklin scored 10 on the night while also coming down with six boards.

What It Means

The Bruins fall to 6-8 on the year and 2-3 in conference play, but they pushed the No. 21 Pirates to the brink and held their guests well below their +16 point differential on the season.

What Happens Next

George Fox has a chance at redemption on January 18 when they take on the Whitman Blues in a Saturday night showdown.  Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 in the Wheeler Gymnasium.