NEWBERG, Ore. --- The Bruins men's basketball team gave a great fight to the top team in the conference, the no. 18-ranked Whitworth Pirates, in a last-second 80-78 loss at home.
How It Happened
From the jump, both teams matched each other shot for shot in the first half and could not create separation on the scoreboard. Zac Schmerber provided an early highlight moment in the first half with an ankle-breaking crossover and layup, and Fox fought through a cold start from beyond the arc to hang tight at the break, trailing 41-39. Davon Walker dug into his bag in the second half to give the Bruins some much-needed scoring punch and provided three timely offensive rebounds to keep Fox in step with the Pirates. Everything came down to the last minute of action as the Bruins punched back each time. After the Pirates missed a pair of free throws with under a minute to go, a timely three on the wing from Adam Damian tied it at 78-78. With the score knotted up at 78 and nine seconds remaining, one of the Whitworth reserves got a tough step-back jumper to rim in with two seconds left, and the Bruins were not able to answer after taking their last time out.
Top Performances
Walker led all scorers on the night with a career-high 25 points on 10-16 shooting and added five rebounds, three assists, and three steals to fill the stat sheet. Schmerber and Damian joined Walker in double figures with 16 apiece.
Coach's Thoughts
"I love this group!" Coach Maco Hamilton said of his team's fight. "We've been emphasizing toughness all year and our boys have demonstrated that. Tough loss, but we made them have to beat us and there is no shame in that against a great opponent like Whitworth!
What It Means
George Fox drops to 9-7 on the year and is now 4-3 against NWC foes in fifth on the NWC leaderboard, while Whitworth improves to 15-2 overall and 8-1 in conference play at the top of the ladder.
Up Next
Fox travels to Tacoma to make up a postponed game against Pacific Lutheran on Tuesday, January 25, before resuming regularly scheduled play next weekend.
