Bearcats Fall to Wisconsin Lutheran 70-69 in OT at D3hoops.com Classic

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

LAS VEGAS, NEV. -- Wisconsin Lutheran College edged past Willamette University in men's basketball 70-69 in overtime, on Monday, Dec. 29 during the D3hoops.com Classic at South Point Arena. WLC improved its record to 6-6, while the Bearcats fell to 2-6.

Willamette's Bridger Harlington (Jr., Wing, Lake Tapps, WA/Auburn Riverside HS) forced the overtime when he sank a 3-pointer with 1:30 left in the second half. The Warriors had a chance to win the game with two seconds to go in regulation, but Jim Marose missed two free throws.

The Bearcats trailed 66-63 in overtime, but took a 67-66 lead on a layup by Talanoa Smith (Sr., G, Pago Pago, American Samoa/Tafuna HS) with 2:38 on the clock. WU extended its the margin to 69-66 when Nico Troplent (Fr., Wing, Los Angeles, CA/Cathedral HS) hit a jump shot with 2:03 left.

Wisconsin Lutheran tallied the final four points of the game. Jake Jarnigo put through two free throws at the 1:49 mark to pull the Warriors within 69-68. Neither team scored for more than a minute before Jarnigo scored on a jump shot with 29 seconds left to give WLC at 70-69 lead.

After Jarnigo put WLC in front, the Bearcats had two more shots. Brendon McCullough (Fr., G, San Antonio, TX/Home Schooled) missed a jumper with 14 seconds to go, but Dylan Critchfield (Fr., Post, Broomfield, CO/Standley Lake HS) grabbed the rebound for WU. Harlington missed a layup with nine seconds remaining.

Willamette played without Brandon Luedtke (Jr., F, Meridian, ID/Mt. View HS) and Alex Brown (Sr., F, Happy Valley, OR/Clackamas HS) due to injuries. Luedtke will also miss Willamette's next game with a back injury, while Brown is out for the season with a knee injury.

Jarnigo topped all players with 35 points for Wisconsin Lutheran. He was 11 of 22 from the field, including 5 for 8 on 3-point shots. He went 8 for 9 at the free throw line. He also earned three steals. Marose finished with 12 points. Kyle Stelse eight points and grabbed nine rebounds. Brett Lubbe also recorded nine boards for WLC.

Troplent provided the Bearcats with 16 points to go along with five rebounds, three assists and four steals. Harlington tacked on 13 points, including three 3-point baskets. Smith contributed 11 points on 5 of 7 shooting, while McCullough scored 10 points and went 8 for 8 at the free throw line. Critchfield led WU with six rebounds.

Willamette shot 42.6% from the field (23 of 54) and made 8 of 23 three-pointers (34.8%). Wisconsin Lutheran finished at 41.8% on field goals (23 of 55), including 6 of 14 (42.9%) from 3-point range. Willamette was 15 of 21 at the free throw line, while the Warriors went 18 of 30 (60.0%). WCL achieved a 46-29 rebounding edge.

Wisconsin Lutheran led 8-0 and 17-6, but Willamette took a 27-26 lead on a 3-pointer by Joseph Jackson (Sr., Wing, Hillsboro, OR/Hillsboro HS) with 6:14 remaining in the opening half. WU owned a 30-28 advantage a bit later, but Wisconsin Lutheran held a 39-35 lead at halftime behind 24 points from Jarnigo.

A 3-pointer by Jarnigo with 18:24 left in the second half gave the Warriors a 44-35 margin. The Bearcats scored seven unanswered points to pull within 44-42 at the 16:06 mark. Willamette eventually held a 53-50 lead after a 3-pointer by Jackson with 11:54 on the clock.

Willamette took a 59-56 lead on a free throw by Conin Oishi (Fr., G, Lake Forest Park, WA/Shorecrest HS) with 6:10 left. Wisconsin Lutheran scored the next six points for a 62-59 edge with 1:45 remaining. Harlington scored the tying 3-pointer 15 seconds later.

The Bearcats will take on Colorado College at the D3hoops.com Classic on Tuesday, Dec. 30 and Tuesday, Dec. 30 at 4 p.m. (PST). Colorado College fell to 4-5 on Monday with a 71-64 loss to Clark University.