Troplent Scores 19 Points as Willamette Holds Off George Fox, 75-72

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

SALEM, ORE. -- Freshman Nico Troplent (Wing, Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral HS) scored 19 points, and senior Kyle McNally (F, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) blocked a school record nine shots, including a block on a 3-pointer with one second left, as Willamette University defeated George Fox University, 75-72, at Cone Field House on Saturday, Jan. 10.

Willamette, which earned a win for the second day in a row, improved to 4-9 on the season, 2-2 in the Northwest Conference. George Fox ended the game with matching records of 4-9 overall and 2-2 in the NWC.

The Bearcats opened the weekend with an 84-77 victory in overtime at the University of Puget Sound on Friday.

In Saturday's win over George Fox, Willamette held the lead throughout the second half. Even so, George Fox rallied from an 11-point deficit, 62-51, with 8:01 left to get as close as two points on two occasions in the final minute.

The Bruins pulled within 72-70 when Jonny Howard scored on a jumper and a foul shot with 37 seconds remaining. Brendon McCullough (Fr., G, San Antonio, TX/Home Schooled) tacked on two free throws for the Bearcats with 25 seconds on the clock.

Andrew Smith answered with a layup for GFU with eight second left.Bridger Harlington (Jr., Wing, Lake Tapps, WA/Auburn Riverside HS) of Willamette hit 1 of 2 free throws with seven seconds remaining to give the Bearcats a 75-72 lead.

The Bruins could have tied the score, but a 3-point attempt by Johnathan Doutt was blocked by McNally near the sideline.

Troplent's 19 points led the way for the Bearcats on offense. Brandon Luedtke (Jr., F, Meridian, ID/Mt. View HS) scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for his second consecutive double-double after missing four games due to injury. Harlington finished with 14 points. McNally scored six points and hauled down nine boards.

Jonny Howard topped the Bruins with 28 points. He connected on 10 of 16 field goals and was 6 for 8 at the free throw line. Howard also finished with six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Eli Graham tallied 16 points and earned a team-high 10 rebounds for the Bruins.

George Fox took a 9-4 lead with 13:35 left in the first half. The Bearcats scored the next eight points to move in front, 12-9.

Nathan Sherfey (Fr., Wing, Chehalis, WA/W.F. West HS) started the run with a 3-pointer. After Luedtke added a layup, Sherfey hit another 3-pointer to complete the run with 10:02 on the clock.

WU extended the lead to 16-10 when Luedtke put in a layup at the 8:52 mark. GFU went on a 7-1 run, including a pair of 3-pointers by Howard, to cut the lead to 18-17.

The Bearcats pulled out to a 25-19 lead following a 3-pointer from Sherfey as the clock reached 5:26. It was Sherfey's third 3-pointer of the game, giving him seven 3-pointers for the weekend.

George Fox reduced the margin to one point three times in the final 1:37 of the half. The Bruins were within 37-36 after Smith sank a 3-pointer 0:51 left. Troplent hit a jumper for Willamette with 36 seconds to go, but Chris Stanfield made a layup 16 seconds later, cutting WU's lead to 39-38 at halftime.

The Bearcats surged into a double-digit advantage by opening the second half with a 13-1 run. McNally scored the first two points on free throws before Howard sank one free throw for GFU. Willamette added the next 11 points, starting with seven points by Troplent.

GFU pulled within single digits at 54-45 on a jumper by Howard with 13:18 on the clock. Willamette scored two baskets to claim a 58-45 lead with 11:30 to go.

Just over two minutes later, McCullough hit a jump shot to put WU up 60-49 with 9:09 remaining. Troplent connected on a jumper at the 8:01 mark to give the Bearcats a 62-51 advantage.

The Bruins tallied six straight points on a jumper by Smith, a layup by Howard and a two free throws by Graham to get within 62-57 with 5:22 left.

Willamette led 66-59 following two free throws by McCullough at the 3:46 mark. WU's lead was 72-67 with 1:05 remaining after Luedtke scored on a layup assisted by McNally.

The Bearcats put themselves in a position to hold of the Bruins by hitting 3 of 4 free throws in the final minute. Even so, the win was in doubt until McNally blocked Doutt's last-second 3-point attempt.

For the game, Willamette shot 43.9% (25 of 57), while George Fox shot 42.4% (25 of 59). The Bruins made 8 of 25 three-pointers (32.0%) and connected on 14 of 19 free throws (73.7%). The Bearcats converted 5 of 16 three-point shots (31.3%) and sank 20 of 29 free throws (69.0%).

GFU claimed a 39-38 rebounding edge. The Bruins lost the ball 22 times and the Bearcats finished with 12 steals, as 10 players recorded at least one steal.

Willamette will play again on Tuesday, Jan. 13, when the Bearcats make the short trip to Portland, Ore., to take on NWC rival Lewis & Clark College. Game time is slated for 8 p.m. (PST) at the Pamplin Sports Center.