Boxers Build 11-Point Halftime Lead, Defeat Bearcats, 87-67

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

FOREST GROVE, ORE. -- Pacific University received 25 points from Carson Bartlett and 23 points from Colin Wester, as the Boxers defeated Willamette University in Northwest Conference action on Friday, Jan. 7 at the Stoller Center. The Boxers upped their record to 3-9 on the season, including 2-1 in the NWC, while Willamette moved to 3-9 overall, 0-3 in the NWC.

Sean Dart (So., Post, Bend, OR/Mountain View HS/Eastern Oregon Univ.) scored 21 points for the Bearcats, including 17 points in the second half. He connected on 8 of 11 field goals and made 5 of 5 free throws.

Taylor Mounts (Jr., Wing/Post, Kailua, HI/Iolani School) provided WU with 17 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Terrell Malley (So., G, Portland, OR/Roosevelt HS) scored 11 points and sank 7 of 7 free throws.

In addition to scoring more than 20 points each, Bartlett and Carson helped the Boxers gain a 45-32 rebounding edge. Wester led Pacific with 10 boards and Bartlett grabbed seven. LeMar Anglin contributed 19 points and eight rebounds, while hitting 8 of 10 field goals.

Willamette zoomed out the a 10-0 lead, but the Boxers went on a 13-4 run to cut the lead to 14-13. A jumper by Ryan Meehan (Jr., Wing, Beaverton, OR/Beaverton HS/MSU-Billings) gave WU a 16-13 advantage, before Pacific used a 19-5 run to take a 32-21 advantage. The Boxers were in front 41-30 at the break.

Dart scored Willamette's first eight points at the start of the second half. He completed an 8-2 run by hitting a pair of free throws with 17;15 remaining to pull the Bearcats within 43-38.

Pacific countered with seven consecutive points to increase the lead to 12. Later, the Boxers led 67-53 at the 7:25 mark and extended the lead to 74-57 on a 3-pointer by Bartlett with 5:32 to go.

The Boxers shot 50.8% from the field (31 of 61) and made 8 of 20 three-pointers (40.0%). Willamette converted 35.5% of its field goals (22 of 62) and the Bearcats were successful on 23.8% of their 3-point attempts (5 of 21). WU connected on a stellar 81.8% at the free throw line (18 of 22), while Pacific sank 17 of 25 charity shots (68.0%).

Willamette will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 8, when the Bearcats will host Linfield College at Cone Field House. Game time is set for 8 p.m. (PST).