Willamette Holds Off Loggers for 60-58 Victory in NWC Men's Basketball

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Willamette University held a 14-point lead with 6:54 remaining, but had to fend off a rally by the visiting University of Puget Sound before defeating the Loggers 60-58 in a Northwest Conference men's basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 7. Puget Sound never caught the Bearcats, but had a chance to win the game on a last-second 3-point attempt.

Willamette, led by Brandon Luedtke (Jr., F, Meridian, ID/Mt. View HS) with 15 points and 10 rebounds, upped its record to 8-13 on the season, 6-6 in the NWC. Puget Sound dropped to 10-10 overall, 5-7 in the NWC.

Luedtke's offensive rebound and layup at the 5:05 mark in the second half gave Willamette a 57-50 advantage, while his free throw with 2:53 left provided the Bearcats with a 60-55 lead. In addition to his scoring and rebounding success, Luedtke also contributed four steals, three assists and a blocked shot.

Nico Troplent (Fr., Wing, Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral HS) provided WU with 10 points. Kyle McNally (Sr., F, Salem, OR/Sprague HS), Bridger Harlington (Jr., Wing, Lake Tapps, WA/Auburn Riverside HS) and Brendon McCullough (Fr., G, San Antonio, TX/Home Schooled) each tallied eight points.

Erin Barber of UPS scored all 19 of his points in the second half, including 11 points in the final seven minutes. Nick Holden scored 14 points and grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds for the Loggers.

Barber keyed Puget Sound's final rally and his 3-pointer with 4:45 remaining pulled the Loggers within 57-53. After two free throws by McCullough and Luedtke's free throw with just under three minutes left, UPS held Willamette scoreless. Holden cut the margin to 60-57 on a layup at the 1:28 mark and Barber made one of two free throws with 48 seconds to go.

Dylan Critchfield (Fr., Post, Broomfield, CO/Standley Lake HS), who entered the game for the Willamette prior to the second free throw by Barber, grabbed the rebound. The Bearcats ran down the shot clock before Joseph Jackson (Sr., Wing, Hillsboro, OR/Hillsboro HS) missed a jumper with 11 seconds on the clock.

On the final possession for UPS, Holden was open near the free throw line, but passes up a shooting opportunity with about six seconds left. Matt Bender took a 3-point shot with about one second left. Kohl Meyer of Puget Sound grabbed the rebound as time expired.

Willamette finished the night with 35.1% field goal shooting (20 of 57). The Bearcats sank 7 of 18 three-pointers (38.9%). Puget Sound shot 39.6% from the field (21 of 53) and made 5 of 17 three-pointers (29.4%). The Loggers attained a 47-31 rebounding margin.

Earlier this season on Jan. 9, the Bearcats edged the Loggers in Tacoma, Wash., 84-77 in overtime.

In both games, Willamette outshot the Loggers at the free throw line. During the first meeting, the Bearcats went 24 for 28 at the line (85.7%), while UPS was 18 for 28 (64.3%). On Saturday, WU made 13 of 16 free throws (81.3%), with the Loggers hitting 11 of 21 (52.4%).

The rematch began with the Bearcats earning leads of 7-4 and 12-6. Puget Sound put together an 11-3 run for a 17-15 lead following a 3-pointer by Keith Shattuck with 9:54 remaining in the half.

Willamette scored the next four points on two free throws by McNally and a layup by Troplent. JJ Pavia tied the score at 19-19 on a layup for the Loggers, but WU answered with a 7-0 run. Luedtke started the surge with a layup, while McNally tacked on two more free throws and Troplent sank a 3-pointer.

After Holden made a jumper for UPS, Harlington launched a successful 3-pointer to give Willamette a 29-21 lead at the 2:19 mark. The Bearcats were in front 31-23 at halftime.

WU will play at Cone Field House again on Tuesday, Feb. 10 against Lewis & Clark College. Game time is set for 8 p.m. (PST).