Malley Hits for 30 Points, Leads Willamette Past Linfield, 68-67

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Terrell Malley (Sr., G, Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS) of Willamette University scored a career-high 30 points, including a tie-breaking 14-foot jumper with 1:07 remaining, as he helped the Bearcats defeat Linfield College, 68-67, in a Northwest Conference men's basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at Cone Field House.

The score was tied 66-66 prior to Malley's jumper. Andrew Batiuk of Linfield hit the second of two free throws with 48 seconds on the clock to cut the lead to a single point, but the Bearcat's held on for the win.

WU committed a turnover with 35 seconds left, giving Linfield the last possession. Cody Jurgens missed a 3-pointer from the left corner with four seconds to go, and Kyle McNally (So., Post, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) of WU secured the rebound. McNally passed to Trevor Bos (Sr., G, Lakewood, CA/St. John Bosco HS) who outraced a Linfield player to run out the clock.

Malley's previous high was 28 points set earlier this season against Montana Tech on Nov. 30. 2012.

Joining Malley in double figures against the Wildcats was Sean Dart (Sr., Post, Bend, OR/Mountain View HS/Eastern Oregon Univ.), who recorded a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Elliot Babcock-Krenk (Sr., Wing, Lake Oswego, OR/Lake Oswego HS/Humboldt State Univ.), Sam Walters (Jr., Wing, Tacoma, WA/Stadium HS) and Alex Brown (So., Wing/Post, Happy Valley, OR/Clackamas HS) each contributed six points for the Bearcats. Malley finished with five assists, while Trevor Bos (Sr., G, Lakewood, CA/St. John Bosco HS) added four assists.

Jordan Russell of Linfield led the way for the Wildcats with 13 points. Zach Meikle and Tim Pang each chipped in 10 points, while Batiuk scored eight points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

The Wildcats earned 18 assists on 24 baskets, led by Brandon Harris with six assists and Batiuk with five. Linfield committed just 10 turnovers during the game and forced Willamette into 17 turnovers.

Willamette upped its record to 7-10, including 4-4 in the NWC. Linfield fell to 3-15, 2-7 in the NWC. WU swept the season series from its nearby rivals. The Bearcats defeated Linfield, 83-80, in another cliffhanger on Dec. 4, 2012.

In the rematch, Willamette hit its first four shots to achieve a 10-4 lead. The opening run started with a 3-pointer by Babcock-Krenk and also included a traditional 3-point play by Dart.

Linfield eventually claimed a 13-12 lead on a layup by Meikle with 12:10 left in the half. After WU tied the score, the Wildcats scored five consecutive points on a jumper from Nick Cantonwine and a 3-point basket by Russell. The Wildcats pushed the margin to nine points, 25-16, at the 7:25 mark.

Willamette surged back to tie the game, 29-29, on a jumper by Malley with 3:03 to go. The Bearcats also tied the score at 33-33 with six seconds left in the half on a pair of free throws by Oliver Hughes (Sr., Wing, Salt Lake City, UT/Judge Memorial HS), but Batiuk sank 1 of 2 free throws four seconds later to give Linfield a 34-33 edge at the break.

The game featured seven ties and five lead changes in the second half. Six consecutive points by Linfield early in the half -- on baskets by Pang, Batiuk and Cory Hendryx -- gave the Wildcats a 44-38 advantage with 15:36 to play.

WU tallied the next nine points on a 3-pointer by Walters, a layup and foul shot by Noah Ripley (Jr., Post, Springfield, OR/Springfield HS), and another 3-pointer by Walters. WU expanded the margin to 51-46, but Linfield tied the game at 51-51 on two free throws by Kevin Hurley with 10:09 left.

Over the remainder of the game, Willamette's largest lead was four points and the largest lead for the Wildcats was three.

Malley broke a 64-64 tie by sinking two free throws with 3:08 to go. Linfield tied the score at the 1:25 mark on a dunk by Jurgens after a steal by Pang.

Eighteen seconds later, during Willamette's next possession, Malley appeared to be driving into the lane, but pulled up for the go-ahead jumper -- which turned out to be the game-winning shot -- from the right side.

Willamette finished the night with a 40-38 rebounding margin. Linfield finished with 16 offensive boards and Willamette earned 14 offensive boards.

WU shot 41.8% from the field (23 of 55) and hit 10 of 22 shots from 3-point range (45.5%). The Wildcats connected on 40.0% from the field (24 of 60), while making only 3 of 14 three-pointers (21.4%).

The Bearcats will remain at home to host Pacific University in NWC action on Friday, Jan. 25. Game time is set for 8 p.m. (PST).