By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Terry Sherman (So., F, Lake Charles, LA/St. Louis Catholic HS) of Willamette University scored a career-high 23 points for the Bearcats, but Whitman College maintained first place in the Northwest Conference men's basketball standings with a 92-74 victory at Cone Field House on Saturday, Jan. 21. Sherman was 9 of 13 on field goals and hit 3 of 4 three-point shots. He was one of three Bearcats who scored in double figures. Ryder Hsiung (So., G, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) provided 16 points, while Jack Boydell (Sr., F, Sonoma, CA/Sonoma Valley HS) finished with 15 points.

Whitman advanced its record to 14-3 overall, 7-1 in the NWC. Willamette fell to 5-11 this season, 1-7 in the NWC.

Xzavier Lino led Whitman with 20 points and also grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double. He led all players with six 3-point baskets on 13 attempts. In addition, Lino was credited with four assists and two steals. Other top scorers for the Blues were Walter Lum with 17 points and Murphy Caffo with 15. A total of six Whitman players scored in double digits. Caffo hauled down nine rebounds, while Lum was credited with four steals and matched Lino with four assists. 

The Bearcats scored the first five points of the game on two free throws by Hsiung and a 3-point basket by Mitch Lind (Fy., G, Midway, UT/Wasatch HS). The Blues registered the next 10 points and eventually built a 52-31 halftime lead. Willamette outscored Whitman 43-40 in the second half but couldn't overcome the halftime deficit.

Although Whitman put together a very strong first half, Willamette trailed by just three points at 14-11 after Kenny Wright Jr. (Jr., G, Dallas, TX/R.L. Turner HS) score on a jumper with 12:09 left. The Blues were in front by single digits, 24-16, after Sherman sank a hook shot at the 8:44 mark. Whitman closed the half with a 28-15 outburst.

Willamette, which connected on 48.0% of its shots in the first half (12 of 25), improved to 63.6% (14 of 22) over the final 20 minutes. The Bearcats were unable to gain significant ground on the Blues, as Whitman also made 14 field goals in the second half despite shooting 46.7% (14 of 30). Even so, the Bearcats managed to pull within 80-70 on a 3-pointer by Sherman with 5:44 left.

Whitman fought off the rally, scoring the next seven points to open a 17-point margin. Lum provided all seven points during the run as he hit a 3-pointer, two free throws, and a layup.

The Bearcats shot 55.3% for the game (26 of 47), while Whitman shot 46.3% (31-67), but the Blues took 20 more shots than Willamette. The Blues accumulated a 38-20 edge in points off turnovers, as the Bearcats lost the ball 24 times and Whitman had 17 turnovers. Although the Blues held a 37-25 rebounding margin during the game, Willamette attained a 15-11 advantage on the glass in the second half.

Willamette will play at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon, on Friday, Jan. 27. Game time is scheduled for 8 p.m. (PST).