Willamette Shoots 51.7%, Hits 18 of 20 Free Throws, in 83-60 Win over Linfield

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- The Bearcats shot 51.7% from the field (30 of 58) and converted 18 of 20 free throws as Willamette University pulled away from Linfield University, 83-60, in a Northwest Conference men's basketball game at Cone Field House on Friday, Jan. 5. Willamette was led by Josiah Frank (Jr., G, Turlock, CA/John H. Pitman HS), who topped all players on both teams with 21 points. Frank connected on 8 of 11 field goals, including a 3-pointer, and finished 4 of 4 at the free throw line.

Frank has scored 65 points in Willamette's last three games and has reached double figures against nine of 11 opponents this year. He ranks second on the team with 15.2 points per contest.

Caleb Moore (So., G, Wadley, GA/Washington County HS/Bard College) excited the crowd with several athletic baskets on his way to supplying WU with 16 points. Moore also earned three assists, two rebounds, two blocked shots, and one steal.

Jack Boydell (Grad., W, Sonoma, CA/Sonoma Valley HS) put through 12 points to go with three rebounds and two assists. Boydell leads WU this season with 15.9 points per game.

Other top players for the Bearcats against Linfield on Friday were Gavin Rippere (Sr., F, Salinas, CA/Salinas HS/Clark College) with 10 points and Kahiau Bruhn (So., W, Waimanalo, HI/Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama) with eight points.

WU gained a 41-32 rebounding margin, led by D'Ante Dean (Jr., F, Nassau, Bahamas/British Columbia Christian Acad./Peninsula College) with seven boards. Bruhn followed with six rebounds, while Rippere and Anujan Tennathur (Fy., G, Cupertino, CA/Saint Francis HS) each grabbed five rebounds.

Jackson Dupree paced the Wildcats with 14 points and 12 rebounds. He was 5 for 9 from the field. Dupree also earned three assists. Jack Greenwood and Cade Collins each scored nine points for Linfield. Greenwood was credited with four assists.

In addition to shooting 51.7% from the field, the Bearcats limited the Wildcats to 34.8% shooting (26 of 66). Linfield shot just 30.6% (11 of 36) in the first half, as Willamette built a 36-27 lead. The Bearcats outscored Linfield 47-33 in the second half.

Willamette held a 7-4 lead after Moore put through a driving layup with 16:14 left in the first half. Linfield went on a 9-2 run as the Wildcats moved in front 14-9 at the 13:28 mark. Tennathur scored next for WU, but Cayden Lowenbach countered with a layup to give the Wildcats a 15-11 advantage.

The Bearcats answered with 13 unanswered points for a 24-15 lead. Willamette's surge featured six points by Rippere and a traditional three-point play by Bruhn. 

Linfield pulled within 26-24 after a 3-point basket by Greenwood with 6:17 on the clock. Frank scored on a jump shot with 44 seconds left to complete a 10-1 run and give WU a 36-25 lead. Chase Bennett of Linfield tallied the last basket of the half on a layup with two seconds to go in the half.

Willamette expanded its lead to 47-31 with 17:49 remaining in the game. Moore opened the half with a traditional three-point play, while the 11-4 run also included 3-point shots by Boydell and Gavin Weisweaver (Jr., G, Boise, ID/Vallivue HS/Treasure Valley CC). The Bearcats owned a double-digit lead the rest of the way.

A 3-pointer by Bruhn at the 15:03 mark provided Willamette with a 57-36 margin. Linfield scored the next seven points to reduce its deficit to 14 points. WU answered with an 8-2 ending with a steal by Hsiung and a layup by Boydell for a 65-45 lead with 10:12 to play. The Wildcats moved back within 14 points at 66-52 on a layup by Dupree as the clock reached 8:09, but the Bearcats ended the game with a 17-8 run.

The NWC schedule continues on Saturday, Jan. 6 with the Bearcats traveling to Tacoma, Washington, to battle Pacific Lutheran University. Game time is set for 6 p.m. PST.