By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Josiah Frank (So., G, Turlock, CA/John H. Pitman HS) hit the nets for 20 points, and Jack Boydell (Sr., F, Sonoma, CA/Sonoma Valley HS) chipped in with 17 points and five rebounds, but Willamette University fell to the University of Puget Sound, 99-79, in a Northwest Conference game at Cone Field House on Saturday, Jan. 7. Puget Sound held an eight-point halftime lead, and although Willamette pulled within six points two times in the first six minutes of the second half, the Bearcats were unable to catch the Loggers.

The win advanced Puget Sound to 10-3 on the season, 3-1 in the NWC. Willamette slipped to 5-7, including 10-3 in the NWC.

Frank sank 9 of 18 field goals, including 2 for 4 on 3-point attempts. Ryder Hsiung (So., G, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) joined Frank and Boydell in double figures for the Bearcats, as he scored 11 points. Gavin Rippere (Jr., F, Vancouver, WA/Salinas HS/Clark College) provided seven points and a team-high seven boards. Paul McSlarrow (Jr., W, Sandy, UT/The Waterford School) earned five points, three assists, and two blocked shots. Meelad Doroodchi (Jr., F, Mooresville, NC/Pine Lake Preparatory) contributed six rebounds, while Boydell hauled down five rebounds.

Liam Ruttledge of Puget Sound led all scorers with 18 points. He sank 10 of 12 free throws, helping the Loggers go 27 of 33 (81.8%) at the line. Grant Erickson supplied 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Taj Phillips also scored 18 points and made 4 of 5 three-point shots. Drew Gillette added 12 points for the Loggers.

The first seven points went to the Loggers before Boydell hit 1 of 2 free throws at the 16:51 mark. Puget Sound increased the lead to 11-1 on baskets by Will Mathews and Erickson. Willamette answered with a 10-2 run to reduce the margin to 13-11 with 13:35 remaining in the half. Frank tallied four points during the run, while Mitch Lind (Fy., G, Midway, UT/Wasatch HS) connected on a 3-pointer.

Puget Sound scored next on a layup by Phillips to retain the lead, and the Loggers later held a 19-14 edge after Doroodchi put through a jumper with 10:59 on the clock. The Loggers tacked on an 8-0 run to lead 27-14 with 8:38 to go. The Bearcats moved within six points on two occasions later in the half. The teams left the court with PS in front 43-35.

Will Pohland provided the Loggers with a 3-point basket to open the second-half scoring with 18:55 left. Willamette reduced the lead to 48-42 at the 17:26 mark, when a 3-pointer by Frank completed a 7-2 run. WU also trailed by just six points at 54-48 following a layup by McSlarrow as the clock reached 14:36.

The Bearcats never got closer, but trailed by just eight points, 69-61, following a jumper from Boydell with 11:30 to play. Puget Sound tallied six points in a row to extend the lead to 75-61 with 10:11 left. A bit later, Doroodchi pulled WU within 75-65 on two free throws with 8:42 to go.

Willamette connected on 27 of 70 field goals (38.6%) and made 7 of 22 three-point shots (31.8%). The Bearcats were 18 for 28 (64.3%) at the free throw line. Puget Sound shot 45.6% from the field (31 of 68) and made 10 of 28 three-point attempts (35.7%).

Puget Sound claimed a 47-43 rebounding margin, although WU earned a 16-14 edge in offensive boards. Each team scored 38 points in the paint and both teams received 26 points off the bench. WU held a slim 17-15 lead in second-chance points.

The Bearcats will play at Pacific Lutheran University on Friday, Jan. 13. Tipoff in Tacoma, Washington, is scheduled for 8 p.m. (PST).