NEWBERG, Ore. -- The George Fox men's basketball team played one of their best defensive performances of the season, beating the visiting Pacific Lutheran Lutes 85-76 to break a four-game losing spell.

How It Happened
The Bruins were in control the entire first half, leading for 18 minutes of the 20-minute frame. Fox opened with intensity and great energy on the defensive side of the ball, totaling four steals and three blocks, forcing nine PLU turnovers. The Bruins also tied with PLU in rebounding despite the Lutes' significant size advantage. Momo Stokes and Chris Nickelberry carried the scoring load early for Fox, combining for the Bruins' first 14 points. Seven minutes into the game, GFU went up 19-8, following several great defensive possessions. PLU pulled back within four as the half closed, but James Moore and the rest of the Bruin bench helped Fox extend their lead to as much as 14 points. GFU went into the half up by ten, twenty minutes away from snapping their four-game losing streak. 

Fox stormed out of the break, forcing two quick turnovers and two Lute timeouts in the first minutes of the second. Austin Clark had 9 points in four minutes, hitting three triples in the early stages of the half to cap off an 11-0 run to start the second. After five minutes, Fox was leading 61-42 and both playing and shooting with confidence. The Lutes, however, quietly staged a comeback, and with just over two minutes left Fox's once 21-point lead was cut down to just three. 

With the game coming down to the wire, Stokes grabbed his own miss and dished it out to Devon Walker, who hit a clutch driving layup to extend the Bruins' lead back out to five. After a stop, Clark cemented the game by hitting a deep, dagger trey with just 47 seconds left. Clark was the star of the second half, hitting five threes and scoring 16 points. The Bruins ended the night going two for three at the charity stripe in the final thirty seconds to close out the 85-76 win.

Top Performances
Chris Nickelberry led a well-rounded scoring effort from Fox with 20 points, shooting 7-13 from the field. Momo Stokes had 19 points, adding 6 rebounds and four steals as well. Adam Damian had a massive five blocks, his best on the season.

Coach's Thoughts
"We're ecstatic to get this win," Bruin head coach Maco Hamilton said, "Our young men showed an enthusiasm and belief we haven't displayed all season. We believe this night will be a catalyst for us moving forward."

What It Means
George Fox gets back in the win column, improving to 3-9 (2-2 NWC), while Pacific Lutheran falls under .500 at 6-7 (0-4 NWC).

What Comes Next
GFU begins a four-game road trip, playing in Walla Walla, Wash. on Jan. 13 against Whitman College.