Four Bearcats Reach Double Figures, but Puget Sound Wins, 89-78

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

TACOMA, Wash. -- Four Bearcats scored in double figures against the University of Puget Sound on Friday, Feb. 3, led by Jack Boydell (Sr., F, Sonoma, CA/Sonoma Valley HS) with 21 points, but the Loggers used an explosive run in the first eight minutes of the second half to build a large lead on their way to an 89-78 victory. The Northwest Conference win at Memorial Fieldhouse, lifted Puget Sound to 14-6 on the season, 7-4 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 5-15 overall, 1-11 in the NWC.

Boydell earned his 21 points on 9-for-15 shooting. He increased his career total to 1,027 points, one game after reaching the 1,000-point mark against Linfield University on Tuesday, Jan. 31. This year, Boydell ranks second in the NWC with 20.3 points per game. Against Puget Sound, he also hauled down seven boards and supplied the Bearcats with four assists. He now has 305 career rebounds.

Also reaching double figures against the Loggers were Terry Sherman (So., F, Lake Charles, LA/St. Louis Catholic HS), Josiah Frank (So., G, Turlock, CA/John H. Pitman HS), and Levi Basurto (Fy., W, Lahaina, HI/Maui Preparatory Academy). Sherman registered a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Frank just missed a double-double with 13 points and double rebounds, while contributing four assists. Basurto scored 12 points, grabbed five rebounds, and blocked three shots.

The Loggers led 43-36 at halftime. Puget Sound pulled away with a 32-16 run in the first eight minutes of the second half, including points from eight players, as the Loggers expanded their margin to 75-52. Grant Erickson tallied eight points during the run. 

Willamette couldn't overcome the big deficit, but the Bearcats did manage to move within 83-71 with 5:30 left on a 3-pointer by Ryder Hsiung (So., G, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) and 88-78 on a jumper by Boydell with 1:45 to play.

For the game, the Bearcats and the Loggers recorded similar overall field-goal percentages with Willamette at 44.1% (30 of 68) and Puget Sound at 43.4% (33 of 76). Willamette hit 11 of 31 three-points shots (35.5%), including 6 of 15 in the second half (40.0%). The Loggers made 6 of 27 three-pointers (22.2%) on the night. PS gained 10 points at the free throw line, as the Loggers made 17 of 25 (68.0%) shots and WU finished 7 of 11 (63.6%).

Erickson was Puget Sound's top scorer with 22 points, as he converted 9 of 14 field goal attempts. He also provided the Loggers with eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Mussie Teclemariam produced 18 points, nine boards, and two steals. Taj Phillips amassed 14 points, while earning game highs with seven assists and four steals. Puget Sound outrebounded the Bearcats by a slim 45-43 margin.

Mitch Lind (Fy., G, Midway, UT/Wasatch HS) of WU scored the game's first points on a 3-pointer. The Loggers countered with a 7-0 run, including four points by Erickson. The Bearcats tied the score at 9-9 on a 3-pointer by Sherman with 16:01 remaining in the first half. Puget Sound tallied the next nine points, starting with a pair of layups by Teclemariam, followed by a layup from C.J. Geathers, and ending with a 3-pointer by Will Mathews at the 13:53 mark.

The Loggers eventually held a 25-11 advantage after Erickson completed a traditional three-point play with 11:51 on the clock. Willamette responded with a 14-2 run that began when Basurto hit a 3-pointer and later featured four points by Boydell and seven points by Sherman. The Bearcats moved in front 30-29 on a 3-pointer from Boydell with 4:43 to go. Puget Sound scored 14 of the next 18 points to grab a 43-34 edge, and then Meelad Doroodchi (Jr., F, Mooresville, NC/Pine Lake Preparatory) of Willamette scored the final points of the half on a layup with 57 seconds left.

Sherman led all players at halftime with 12 points for the Bearcats, while Erickson and Phillips each possessed 10 points for the Loggers. Puget Sound's big run started the second half and sent the Loggers on their way to the win. 

Willamette will play at Pacific University on Friday, Feb. 10. Game time in Forest Grove, Oregon, is set for 8 p.m. (PST).