Linfield Defeats Bearcats, 111-98, Despite Plumer's 23 Points, Eaglesmith's 20

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

McMINNVILLE, Ore. -- Daniel Plumer (Fy., PG, North Las Vegas, NV/Democracy Preparatory Academy) scored 23 points and Justus Eaglesmith (Jr., G, Sparks NV/Spanish Springs HS) tallied 20 points to top six Willamette University players in double figures, but Linfield College outscored the Bearcats, 111-98, in a Northwest Conference men's basketball game at Ted Wilson Gymnasium on Saturday, Jan. 18. Linfield advanced its record to 12-3 on the season, and remained undefeated in the NWC at 6-0. Willamette ended the game at 1-14 overall, 0-6 in the NWC.

Plumer, in addition to leading all players on both teams in scoring, grabbed four rebounds, earned four assists and registered five steals. Eaglesmith was credited with three rebounds and three assists. The duo combined for nine 3-point baskets, with Eaglesmith hitting five long-range shots and Plumer converting four trifectas. Cade Whicker (Fy., F, Fruit Heights, UT/Davis HS) added 16 points and game-high 10 rebounds for the Bearcats.

Also reaching double figures for Willamette were Ben Sutton (Jr., F, Seattle, WA/Ingraham HS), Jack Boydell (Fy., F, Sonoma, CA/Sonoma Valley HS), and Kenny Wright Jr. (Fy., PG, Dallas, TX/R.L. Turner HS). Sutton scored 14 points, hauled down seven boards, earned four assists and provided two steals. Bodyell sank a trio of 3-point shots on his way to 12 points. Wright Jr. put through 5 of 9 field goal attempts, while scoring 11 points and supplying three assists.

For the season, Plumer is averaging a team-high 16.2 points per game. He has produced double-digit scoring in 13 of 15 games, including each of the last five games. Plumer has contributed at least 20 points five times this year. Sutton leads Willamette with 6.9 rebounds per game and ranks first on the team in shooting percentage at 53.2%. He is scoring 12.4 points per game and trails only Plumer on Willamette's scoring chart.

Austin Hilton produced a team-high 19 points and hit 8 of 10 field goals for Linfield on Saturday, as he led five Wildcats in double figures. Max Lommen finished with 17 points, while Grant Gibb and Matt Berger each scored 15 points. Hilton topped Linfield with six rebounds, Lommen recorded six assists, and Gibb earned a game-high three steals.

The game was close for most of the first half, and the Wildcats held a slim 27-26 lead with 8:39 remaining in the period after Eaglesmith completed an 11-5 run with a 3-pointer. A bit later, the Bearcats trailed by just six points, 37-31, on a rebound and layup by Sutton at the 6:25 mark.

Linfield owned a 62-42 advantage at the break after ending the first half with an 18-7 run. The run started with Ginn hitting 1 of 2 free throws with the clock stopped at 4:43 and went on to feature nine points by Hilton. Linfield was in front 56-42 late in the half, before increasing its margin with six points in the final 38 seconds, including a layup by Lommen as time ran out.

Hilton led Linfield at halftime with 13 points, while Gibb had 12 points and Lommen added 11. Willamette's offensive success in the first half included 11 points by Plumer and nine points by Eaglesmith.

The Wildcats expanded their advantage to 82-55 with 13:40 remaining in the contest. WU trailed 101-81 with 4:30 to go, but got as close as 109-98 on a traditional three-point play by Whicker with 46 seconds left.

Linfield shot 57.1% for the game (40 of 70), while converting 8 of 19 three-point attempts (42.1%). The Wildcats finished 23 of 29 (79.3%) at the free throw line, and claimed a 39-34 rebounding margin. Willamette hit 32 of 72 field goals (44.4%), including 15 of 41 from 3-point range (36.6%). WU sank 19 of 28 free throws (67.9%).

Willamette will be on the road again on Friday, Jan. 24, with a Northwest Conference match-up against Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Game time at the Stoller Center is set for 6 p.m. (PST).