By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University forward Jack Boydell (Sr., Sonoma, CA/Sonoma Valley HS) scored 21 points and made five 3-point baskets, and teammate Josiah Frank (So., G, Turlock, CA/John H. Pitman HS) hauled down 10 rebounds, on Saturday, Dec. 3 at Cone Field House against George Fox University. Despite the contributions of Boydell and Frank, the Bearcats lost to the Bruins, 103-79. George Fox was led by 23 points and 10 boards from Chris Nickelberry. Willamette fell to 2-5 on the season and to 0-2 in the Northwest Conference. GFU ended the game at 2-6 overall, 1-1 in the NWC.

In addition to leading the Bearcats in scoring, Boydell hauled down five rebounds and provided three assists. He was 5 for 9 on 3-point shots. Frank not only supplied 10 boards, but also scored eight points, and tied for the team lead with four assists. Jonathan Watts (Sr., W, San Diego, CA/Rancho Bernardo HS) battled foul trouble, but recorded four points, four rebounds, and four assists. Ryder Hsiung (So., G, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) tallied nine points, while Mason Hoffman (Jr., F, Sammamish, WA/Seattle Preparatory School) grabbed five rebounds.

For George Fox, Momo Stokes scored 21 points to closely follow Nickelberry's 23-point performance. Stokes also registered five rebounds and two assists. Davon Walker produced 12 points and three assists. James Moore was credited with 11 points and six rebounds.

The Bruins shot 50.0% for the game, as they hit 39 of 78 field goals. GFU was a solid 9 for 17 on 3-point shots (52.9%), including 5 for 6 in the first half. Willamette connected on 45.5% of its field goals (30 of 66) and was 9 for 23 on 3-point efforts (39.1%). At the free throw line, GFU ended the game 16 for 20 (80.0%) and the Bearcats were 10 for 13 (76.9%).

Each team accumulated 38 rebounds. The Bruins committed just five turnovers, while WU lost the ball 18 times. Willamette gained a 17-13 edge in assists.

GFU held an 11-0 lead with 17:55 left in the first half, but Willamette went on a 9-2 run to reduce the margin to 13-9 at the 15:12 mark. The Bruins' early surge included six points by Stokes and five points by Moore. The run by the Bearcats featured five points by Terry Sherman (So., F, Lake Charles, LA/St. Louis Catholic HS) on a jump shot and a 3-pointer.

The Bruins increased their lead to 29-16 on a 3-point basket by Stokes with 11:09 remaining in the half. Boydell answered with a 3-pointer, and the Bearcats pulled within 32-24 a bit later on another 3-point shot by Boydell. WU also trimmed the lead to eight points at 36-28 with 6:58 left when Sherman put through a fast-break layup.

Later, GFU used a 9-0 run to claim a 48-30 advantage with 3:38 on the clock. In response, Willamette put together a 12-6 run to reduce the margin to 54-42 at halftime. Hsiung and Mitch Lind (Fy., G, Midway, UT/Wasatch HS) each contributed a 3-pointer during the run by the Bearcats.

WU moved within 10 points at 58-48 on a 3-pointer from Boydell with 18:20 remaining in the game. The Bruins followed with a 9-2 surge that featured a 3-pointer by Walker and ended with a jumper by Mo Jackson for a 67-50 lead with 15:43 to play. GFU owned a 78-53 margin at the 13:49 mark.

The Bearcats will take on West Coast Baptist College on Friday, Dec. 9 at Cone Field House. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (PST).