Linfield Edges Willamette in Overtime, 84-79, in Men's Basketball

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

McMINNVILLE, ORE. -- Ryan Potter scored a game-high 22 points including the game-tying basket with 26.9 seconds left in regulation, and Linfield College outlasted Willamette University, 84-79 in overtime, in a Northwest Conference men's basketball game on Friday, Feb. 20. The Wildcats outscored the Bearcats 19-14 in overtime.

With the win, Linfield moved to 4-20 on the season, 2-13 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 9-15 overall, including 7-8 in the NWC. The Bearcats are tied for fourth place in the conference with Pacific University and the University of Puget Sound.

WU will qualify for the NWC Tournament if the Bearcats down Pacific at Cone Field House on Saturday, Feb. 21. Game time is set for 6 p.m. (PST).

Linfield scored the first basket of overtime, but Willamette took a 68-67 lead on a 3-pointer by Nico Troplent (Fr., Wing, Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral HS) with 4:29 left. The Wildcats surged back in front with a layup by Ryan Cali and a rebound and put-back by Kevin Hurley with 3:15 remaining.

The Wildcats remained in front the rest of the way, although WU pulled within one point three times. Linfield was leading 75-74 before Vinnie Toor hit a 3-pointer from the left corner to give the Wildcats a 78-74 margin with 1:26 to go. The Bearcats were unable to get closer than three points the rest of the way.

Potter was one of five Linfield players in double figures. Mason Rodby tallied 17 points, while Matt Woods added 13 points and seven boards. Toor contributed 11 points and Cali finished with 10.

Troplent topped Willamette with 15 points. Brandon Luedtke (Jr., F, Meridian, ID/Mt. View HS) earned a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Joseph Jackson (Sr., G, Hillsboro, OR/Hillsboro HS) supplied 11 points, while Kyle McNally (Sr., F, Salem, OR/Sprague HS) each added 10.

The game featured three ties and eight lead changes in the first 12 minutes. After Linfield took a 16-15 lead on a layup by Rodby at the 8:47 mark, the Wildcats added 9-2 run 25-17 advantage with 5:48 left before halftime.

Linfield expanded its margin to 30-19 on a basket and foul shot by Potter with 3:31 on the clock. Willamette cut the deficit to 32-24 when Hayden Russell (So., G, Woodland, CA/Da Vinci HS) sank two free throws with 37.6 seconds left.

Potter tacked on two free throws for the Wildcats with 19 seconds to go, as LC claimed 33-24 edge at the break. Potter led all players at halftime with nine points. Jackson scored eight points and Nathan Sherfey (Fr., Wing, Chehalis, WA/West HS) added six for Willamette during the first half.

The Wildcats went on a 7-4 run to begin the second half and grab a 12-point lead at 40-28. Potter opened the run with a 3-pointer from the left corner, while Austin Murray and Woods also scored for Linfield.

Willamette responded by putting in 12 points in a row. Troplent started the string of unanswered baskets with a pull-up jumper.

The run by the Bearcats also included four points each from Luedtke and McNally , plus a steal and a layup by Brendon McCullough (Fr., G, San Antonio, TX/Home Schooled). Luedtke's hook shot with 13:45 on the clock tied the game at 40-40.

WU took its first lead of the second half, 45-44, on a 3-pointer by Jackson with 12:08 remaining. The Bearcats eventually built a 53-48 lead following a 3-pointer by Russell at the 9:10 mark.

Linfield scored nine straight points to take a 57-53 lead, but WU countered with a 3-pointer by Troplent and an inside score by McNally for a 58-57 advantage with 5:23 to go. Luedtke added a free throw at the 4:47 mark.

After Linfield tied the game, Willamette moved back in front 62-59 with a free throw by Luedtke with 2:50 on the clock and two free throws by McCullough with 2:22 left.

The Wildcats eventually took a 63-62 lead on a 3-pointer by Potter with 52.9 seconds left, but Troplent hit a short jumper and a foul shot about eight seconds later.

Linfield tied the game, 65-65, on a basket by Potter with 26.9 seconds remaining. Bridger Harlington (Jr., Wing, Lake Tapps, WA/Auburn Riverside HS) missed an off-balance 3-pointer for Willamette at the buzzer.