Puget Sound Defeats Willamette, 74-66, as Loggers End Game with 12-4 Run

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

TACOMA, WASH. --The University of Puget Sound outscored Willamette University 12-4 in the final 4:47, as the Loggers broke a 62-62 tie on their way to a 74-66 victory over the Bearcats on Friday, Dec. 3 at Memorial Fieldhouse. Kaleb Shelton led the Loggers with 14 points and 15 rebounds, including five free throws during the decisive run. Edric Egberuare also scored 14 points for UPS, which improved to 3-3 overall, 1-0 in the Northwest Conference.

Taylor Mounts (Jr., Wing/Post, Kailua, HI/Iolani School) and Sean Dart (So., Post, Bend, OR/Mountain View HS/Eastern Oregon Univ.) of Willamette each scored 16 points. Mounts also hauled down eight rebounds, while Dart hit 7 of 10 field goals and earned five boards. Willamette fell to 2-5 on the season, 0-2 in the NWC.

There were three lead changes and a tie in the first five minutes of the game. WU moved in front 8-7 after a 3-pointer by Marcus Holmes (Sr., G, Seattle, WA/Garfield HS) provided the second lead change at the 15:23 mark. UPS created the third lead change when Erik Evans answered with a 3-pointer 12 seconds later.

Evans started a 15-2 run that gave the Loggers a 22-10 advantage with 12:03 remaining in the half. Aaron Edwards and Shelton completed the run with back-to-back 3-pointers.

The Bearcats used a 12-4 run to cut the margin to 26-22, and eventually pulled within two points at 29-27, following a 3-pointer by Mounts with 5:43 on the clock. WU trailed by just three points, 35-32, at the break.

A 3-pointer by Holmes brought the Bearcats level with the Loggers, 37-37, less than two minutes into the second half. The Bearcats took a 44-41 lead with 15:16 left on a 3-point shot by Terrell Malley (So., G, Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS).

UPS regained the lead, 46-44, with a jumper by Julian Fernandez and a 3-pointer from Ryan Hoff. The Loggers remained in front until a jumper by Dart put Willamette within a single point at 56-55 with 7:41 to go, and another basket by Dart gave WU a 57-56 lead 23 second later.

The Loggers used a 5-0 run to surge into the lead. Willamette countered with a 3-pointer by Malley and a jumper by Dart to tie the game, 62-62, with 4:47 left.

Puget Sound went on its game-winning run the rest of the way. Egberuare made a jump shot at the 4:15 mark to start the run and Shelton added a foul shot with 3:48 remaining. A 3-pointer by Ferguson extended the lead to six points with 2:50 on the clock.

Willamette was unable to get closer, until Robbie Kunke (Sr., G, Clackamas, OR/Clackamas HS) cut the lead to 71-66 by sinking two free throws with 26 seconds left. UPS finished the game by hitting 3 of 4 free throws.

A strong rebounding effort by the Loggers put UPS in a position to record the win. Puget Sound outrebounded the Bearcats, 51-34, including a 22-7 edge in offensive boards. Shelton's 15 rebounds were followed by nine from Gabe Borboa and seven by Edwards.

WU host a slightly higher percentage from the field, as the Bearcats hit 38.6% of their shots (22 of 57) and the Loggers made 35.2% (25 of 71). UPS connected on 8 of 29 three-pointers (27.6%), while Willamette put in 7 of 21 long-range shots (33.3%). Free throw shooting was nearly even, with WU sinking 15 of 21 and Puget Sound converting 16 of 23.

Joining Shelton and Egberuare in double figures for Puget Sound were Edwards and Fernandez. Edwards achieved 12 points, while Fernandez earned 11.

Holmes also reached double figures for Willamette, finishing just one point behind Dart and Mounts, as he registered 15 points. He also led the Bearcats with a trio of 3-point baskets. Kunke provided WU with five assists, five rebounds and two steals.

Willamette will play again on Friday, Dec. 10 against Concordia University (Ore.) at Cone Field House. Game time is set for 7 p.m. (PST). Willamette rallied from a 11-point halftime deficit to defeat Concordia, 89-88, in Portland, Ore. on Nov. 18.