Pacific Edges Bearcats in Overtime, 97-96, despite WU's Basket at the Buzzer

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Pacific University edged out Willamette University, 97-96, in overtime on Friday, Jan. 25, in a Northwest Conference men's basketball game at Cone Field House. The game came down to the final second and almost continued beyond the first overtime.

The Bearcats, trailing 97-94 with 3.7 seconds left after two free throws by Pacific's Mitch Wettig, used two passes to set up a last-second shot by Oliver Hughes (Sr., Wing, Salt Lake City, UT/Judge Memorial HS).

After Elliot Babcock-Krenk (Sr., Wing, Lake Oswego, OR/Lake Oswego HS/Humboldt State Univ.) received the in-bounds pass a third of the way down the court, he sent a lengthy pass to Oliver, who caught the ball just inside the 3-point line.

Hughes took one step back and then launched a 3-point shot from the right corner. It swished through the basket, apparently tying the game. The shot was ruled to be a two-pointer because his foot was on the 3-point line.

Pacific forced overtime when Andrew Beatty hit two free throws with 14 seconds left in regulation. The play followed a steal by Dustin Bowser on WU's end of the floor. Following another turnover by Willamette, Bowser was fouled with three seconds left but missed both free throws.

The Boxers upped their record to 11-6 overall, 5-3 in the NWC. Willamette moved to 7-11 on the season, 4-5 in the conference.

Colin Wester paced the Boxers with a team-high 28 points on 10 of 22 shooting and 7 of 8 free throws. Danny Brakebush added 22 points, while Bowser finished with 17 and Cody Proctor provided 13.

Willamette was led by Terrell Malley (Sr., G, Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS), who recorded a career-high 32 points for Willamette. It was his second career-high in four days. Malley achieved 30 points in WU's 68-67 win over Linfield College on Tuesday (Jan. 22).

Three other Bearcats reached double figures on Friday. Alex Brown (So., Wing/Post, Happy Valley, OR/Clackamas HS) connected on 6 of 7 field goals on his way to a career-high 16 points, while Hughes finished with 12 and Babcock-Krenk achieved 10.

WU established a 51-40 rebounding margin, but Pacific earned a 21-16 edge in offensive rebounds. Even so, WU attained a 24-14 advantage in second-chance points. Pacific kept itself in the game by outscoring the Bearcats 29-4 in points off turnovers.

There were 18 ties and nine lead changes. Neither team led by more than four points in the final 12:46 of regulation.

The Bearcats moved in front 80-78 when Malley hit a 3-pointer with 2:27 remaining. Wester reduced the lead to one point by hitting a free throw with 2:13 left. Brown added a jump shot on an assist from Malley with 1:32 to play, giving WU an 82-79 edge.

The Boxers evened the score on a 3-pointer by Brakebush 16 seconds later. WU moved ahead 84-82 when Brown scored on a layup -- assisted by Malley -- with 55 seconds on the clock.

Wester missed a 1-and-1 free throw with 46 seconds left and the ball went out of bounds. WU gained possession and eventually called two timeouts. With 18 seconds left, Babcock-Krenk's in-bounds pass was stolen by Bowser. Beatty's free throws four seconds later tied the game at 84-84.

Pacific opened the overtime with a basket and foul shot by Brakebush for a 3-point lead. The Boxers eventually held a 93-86 advantage with 1:49 to play.

The Bearcats rallied and cut the lead to 93-92 on a 3-pointer by Hughes with 12 seconds to go. With eight seconds left, Wester was fouled and hit both free throws to give Pacific a 95-92 edge. Pacific decided to foul Malley with five seconds left.

Malley hit both free throws, and then fouled Mitch Wettig after the in-bounds pass. Wettig sank both shots for a 97-94 lead.

Willamette, which shot 49.3% for the night (34 of 69), started the contest with a 15-2 run. The Bearcats remained in front most of the half.

The Boxers took their first lead at 39-38 when Mosley made a free throw with 56 seconds left. WU ended the half with a 5-0 run for a 43-39 lead.

Willamette will play again on Friday, Feb. 1, when the Bearcats will take on George Fox University. Tipoff in Newberg, Ore., is set for 8 p.m. (PST).