By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Cade Whicker (Fy., F, Fruit Heights, UT/Davis HS) scored 18 points for Willamette University, including 16 points in the first half, but Lewis & Clark College defeated the Bearcats, 89-72, in Northwest Conference men's basketball action at the Pamplin Sports Center on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Daniel Plumer (Fy., PG, North Las Vegas, NV/Democracy Prep Academy) added 13 points for Willamette and Justus Eaglesmith (Jr., G, Sparks, NV/Spanish Springs HS) earned 11 points.

The Pioneers improved to 7-11 overall and 3-6 in the NWC. Willamette moved to 1-17 overall, 0-9 in the NWC.

Whicker was successful on 6 of 11 field goals and made 4 of 7 shots from behind the 3-point line. He also provided WU with six rebounds and two assists. Ben Sutton (Jr., F, SEattle, WA/Ingraham HS) registered nine points and hauled down a game-high 13 rebounds. Jack Boydell (Fy., F, Sonoma, CA/Sonoma Valley HS) achieved six rebounds. Will Huntington (Jr., P, Oakland, CA/Bishop O'Dowd HS) drew three charging fouls against the Pioneers -- one in the first half and two in the second half.

Zeke Crawford of L&C scored 25 points to lead the Pioneers. He was 11 of 15 from the field, and was credited with six rebounds. Matt Brown chipped in 19 points, five assists and four rebounds for the Pioneers, and Ryan Cibull contributed 10 points.

Willamette trailed by a slim 10-9 margin after Whicker sank a 3-pointer from the left corner with 14:07 remaining in the first half. Lewis & Clark went on an 11-4 offensive surge to take a 21-13 lead with 9:10 on the clock. The L&C run ended with five consecutive points from Brenden Patrick on a 3-pointer and another basket.

Later in the half, the Pioneers held a 35-22 lead following a 3-pointer by Andrew Panicacci with 5:02 on the clock, but Willamette rallied to cut the margin to 42-33 at the break. Willamette's 11-7 run started with a 3-pointer by Whicker at the 4:20 mark ... and continued with another nine points by Whicker. He put through a two-pointer with 3:52 to go, hit a 3-pointer with 49 seconds left and sank a 26-foot 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded.

The Bearcats reduced the deficit to 48-41 with 17:44 left in the game on a 3-pointer from the left elbow by Boydell. Lewis & Clark answered with a 12-4 run, including two 3-point baskets by Cibull, as the Pioneers grabbed a 60-45 lead.

A pair of free throws by Whicker with 9:18 remaining pulled Willamette within 10 points at 66-56. The Pioneers scored the next seven points to regain control.

The Pioneers shot 51.4% for the game (36 of 70), including 55.9% (19 of 34) in the second half. L&C connected on 8 of 25 three-point attempts (32.0%). Willamette converted 37.5% of its field goal tries (28 of 75) and hit 10 of 33 shots from 3-point range (30.3%). The Pioneers outrebounded the Bearcats by a 41-37 margin.

Willamette will take on George Fox University at Cone Field House on Saturday, Feb. 1. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. (PST).