Eaglesmith Hits Four 3-Pointers, Scores 18 Points, but Blues Defeat Bearcats

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

SALEM, Ore. -- Justus Eaglesmith (Jr., G, Sparks NV/Spanish Springs HS) connected on 4 of 5 shots from 3-point range on his way to scoring 18 points for Willamette University, but Whitman College used its high-pressure defense to down the Bearcats, 106-70, in a Northwest Conference men's basketball game on Friday, Feb. 7 at Cone Field House. The Blues improved to 16-4 overall and remained undefeated in the NWC at 11-0. Willamette's record moved to 1-19 on the season, 0-11 in the NWC.

Eaglesmith scored in double figures for the sixth game in a row and for the 11th time this season. He was joined in double-digits on Friday by teammate Daniel Plumer (Fy., PG, North Las Vegas, NV/Democracy Preparatory Academy) who earned 10 points to go along with five rebounds and three steals. Jack Boydell (Fy., F, Sonoma, CA/Sonoma Valley HS) scored eight points, grabbed six boards and recorded four assists. Ben Sutton (Jr., F, Seattle, WA/Ingraham HS) achieved six points and six rebounds. Cade Whicker (Fy., F, Fruit Heights, UT/Davis HS) grabbed a team-high seven boards.

Nikola Trifunovic paced Whitman with 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting. He was 6 of 10 from 3-point range, including three long-range shots in the first few minutes. Andrew Vickers chipped in 17 points and four boards, while Trevor Osborne accumulated 15 points. Khair Jackson supplied 10 points. Robert Colton led all players on both teams with eight rebounds. Bryce Mulder was credited with seven rebounds.

Whitman owned a 9-6 lead after Boydell put through a layup for Willamette with 16:54 remaining in the first half. The Blues then scored six unanswered points, starting with a 3-pointer by Vickers and ending with three free throws by Osborne, to expand the margin to 15-6 at the 16:20 mark. The Bearcats fought back within two points at 15-13 following a 3-pointer by Whicker with 14:32 on the clock.

The Blues countered with a 10-2 run for a 25-15 advantage with 10:40 to play in the half. Willamette tallied the next four points on a layup by Plumer and a jumper by Eaglesmith to get within six points. Whitman regained momentum by outscoring the Bearcats 11-2 over the next 4:29, as the Blues claimed a 36-21 lead with 5:40 left. The run included one 3-pointer each by Osborne and Trifunovic.

Whitman led by as many as 21 points later in the half, but WU pulled within 14 points at 53-39 on a fast-break jumper by Eaglesmith with 19 seconds to play. Vickers hit a 3-pointer for Whitman one second before the buzzer, giving the Blues a 56-39 halftime lead.

Triufnovic connected on a pair of 3-pointers to start the half for Whitman. Plumer put in a 3-pointer for Willamette with 19:04 to go, to cut the deficit to 62-42, but the Bearcats couldn't build an extended run. A layup by Whicker placed Willamette within 66-47 at the 17:52 mark, before Whitman used a 19-2 run to pull away.

Overall, Whitman was successful on 40.8% of its shots (31 of 76), and the Blues made 20 of 44 three-point attempts (45.5%). In addition, Whitman sank 24 of 32 free throws (75.0%). Willamette shot 40.3% from the field (27 of 67), while scoring on 8 of 29 three-pointers (27.6%). WU went 8 for 16 at the free throw line.

The Blues gained a 52-43 rebounding margin and forced Willamette into 29 turnovers with a high-pressure defense. Seven Whitman players each contributed two steals to a team total of 16 steals. Whitman committed 19 turnovers, while Willamette registered 11 steals.

Willamette will host Whitworth University in a Northwest Conference game at Cone Field House on Saturday, Feb. 8. Tipoff between the Bearcats and the Pirates is set for 6 p.m. (PST).