Loggers Extend Two-Point Lead in Final Minute to Defeat Bearcats, 78-70

By Robert McKinney, Athletics Communications Director, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, ORE. -- The University of Puget Sound held a 70-68 advantage entering the final minute, before Dan Cheledinas connected on a 3-pointer and made 4 of 4 free throws to help the Loggers extend their lead in a 78-70 win over Willamette University in Northwest Conference action on Saturday, Feb. 2.

Erin Barber added one free throw on two attempts in the last minute for Puget Sound, which improved to 8-13 overall, 3-9 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette dropped to 7-13, 4-7 in the NWC.

The Loggers owned a 66-57 advantage with 4:27 left in the game, following a layup by AJ Maw.

Willamette gradually rallied, cutting the lead to 68-63 on a 3-pointer by Malley with 3:16 to go, and pulling within four points at 70-66, when Sean Dart (Sr., Post, Bend, OR/Mountain View HS/Eastern Oregon Univ.) scored three points with 2:03 left on a layup and a foul shot.

After Barber missed a 3-pointer for UPS at the 1:32 mark, the Bearcats moved within two points of the Loggers on a jumper by Malley with 1:07 to go. Chelendinas increased the lead to 73-68 with his 3-pointer at the 41-second mark.

Even so, WU reduced the deficit to 73-70 on an offensive rebound and layup by Dart with 23 seconds remaining. Cheledinas hit two free throws with 22 seconds left. The Loggers sank 3 of 4 free throws in the final 14 seconds to secure the win.

Maw led Puget Sound with 19 points on 7 of 9 shooting and 4 for 4 free throws. Cheledinas finished with 12 points. Also reaching double figures for UPS were Rex Holmes and Rex Nelson, each with 11 points.

Malley topped Willamette with 29 points, three short of his career high set on Jan. 25. He hit 10 of 18 field goals against the Loggers and sank 6 of 7 free throws. He was 3 for 5 on 3-point shots. Dart provided 15 points, made 7 of 11 field goals, and grabbed seven boards.

WU finished with a slim 39-38 rebounding margin. Kyle McNally (So., Post, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) led the Bearcats with eight rebounds, while Nick Holden paced the Loggers with eight rebounds. Cheledinas hauled down seven boards.

The first half featured seven ties and five lead changes. The Bearcats opened the game with a 4-0 lead, while UPS moved in front for the first time at 7-6. Willamette was in front 11-7 after Elliot Babcock-Krenk (Sr., Wing, Lake Oswego, OR/Lake Oswego HS/Humboldt State Univ.) sank a 3-pointer with 14:28 remaining in the half.

Puget Sound tallied the next four points for the third tie of the game, but WU answered with a 6-0 run for a 17-11 advantage at the 9:52 mark. WU's lead reached 22-15 on a 3-pointer by Oliver Hughes (Sr., Wing, Salt Lake City, UT/Judge Memorial HS) just over a minute later.

The Loggers eventually tied the score 24-24 on a 3-pointer by Holmes. After three more ties, Puget Sound constructed an 8-0 offensive surge that ended with five straight points by Holmes, giving UPS a 42-34 lead. Malley scored the final five points of the half to pull WU within 42-39.

In the second half, Willamette took a 49-48 lead when Malley hit two free throws with 14:14 remaining. Puget Sound scored the next basket on a 3-pointer by Maw. The Loggers led by just two points, 59-57, after Malley scored with 8:43 left, was fouled on the play, and hit the free throw. The Loggers followed with a 7-0 run to take charge.

WU scored one more field goal and one more 3-pointer than the Loggers, but UPS sank 19 of 25 free throws and the Bearcats went 8 for 15 at the line. Willamette was 28 of 62 on field goals (45.2%) with six 3-pointers. Puget Sound made 27 of 63 field goal attempts (42.9%), including five 3-point shots..

The Bearcats will travel to Forest Grove, Ore., to take on Pacific University on Tuesday, Feb. 5. Game time is scheduled for 8 p.m. (PST).