By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- On a difficult shooting night for the Bearcats, Willamette University men's basketball players Ryder Hsiung (So., G, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) and Jack Boydell (Sr., F, Sonoma, CA/Sonoma Valley HS) found a way to score 12 points apiece versus Pacific Lutheran University at Cone Field House on Saturday, Feb. 11. Even so, Pacific Lutheran won 89-61 as the Lutes upped their record to 12-11 overall and to 6-8 in the Northwest Conference. It was Senior Night for the Bearcats, who ended the evening at 5-17 on the season, 1-13 in the NWC.
Brandin Riedel of PLU led all scorers with 29 points and was 13 for 13 on field goals. He latched onto six rebounds and had two assists. Shane McGaughey-Fick produced a triple-double for the Lutes with 16 points, 10 boards, and 10 assists. Liam Johnston added a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Sam Noland scored 11 points and dished out five assists.
Prior to the game, Willamette honored seniors Joshua Perez (Sr., W, Los Angeles, CA/John Marshall HS) and Jonathan Watts (Grad., W, San Diego, CA/Rancho Bernardo HS). Both players have missed numerous games this season due to injuries. Perez had played in just 10 games and had not seen action since Dec. 30 against Douglas College (Canada). He played 16 minutes against PLU. Watts had competed in just six games prior to Saturday. He made a ceremonial start against the Lutes, grabbing the initial tip and intentionally going out of bounds before subbing out of the lineup.
Willamette shot 36.5% for the game, hitting 23 of 63 shots. The Bearcats were just 4 of 28 from 3-point range (14.3%). Meanwhile, PLU converted 51.5% of its field goals (35 of 68) and hit 9 of 24 (37.5%) from behind the 3-point arc. Both teams excelled at the free throw line, with Pacific Lutheran at 83.3% (10 of 12) and WU at 78.6% (11 of 14).
Hsiung's 12 points for the Bearcats included a pair of 3-point baskets. He was 4 for 6 overall and ended the game with three rebounds. Boydell's 12 points featured a 6-for-6 effort at the free throw line. He also earned three assists and four steals. Terry Sherman (So., F, Lake Charles, LA/St. Louis Catholic HS) topped WU with five rebounds while Levi Basurto (Fy., W, Lahaina, HI/Maui Preparatory Academy) matched Boydell with four steals.
The teams were tied at 14-14 with 11:22 remaining in the first half. Pacific Lutheran went on a 10-2 run for a 24-16 lead following a traditional three-point pay by Riedel with 9:00 to play. WU pulled within 24-21 on a 3-pointer by Boydell less than half a minute later, but the Lutes earned the next 11 points to grab a 35-21 lead after a 3-pointer by McGaughey-Fick with 5:08 left.
PLU led 47-26 at halftime. Willamette moved within 16 points at 62-46 after Boydell sank two free throws with 14:10 to go in the game. The Lutes answered with a 19-4 run and outscored the Bearcats 42-35 in the second half.
Willamette will play at Whitman College on Friday, Feb. 17. Tipoff in Walla Walla, Washington, is slated for 8 p.m. (PST).
