By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. -- Josiah Frank (Jr., G, Turlock, CA/John H. Pitman HS) of Willamette University scored 24 points to lead all players, and the Bearcats led by double digits for the final 13:40, in an 82-70 win over Pacific Lutheran University in Northwest Conference men's basketball action at Cone Field House on Friday, Feb. 2. It was the sixth time Frank produced more than 20 points this season and the 15th time he has scored in double figures.
Jack Boydell (Grad., W, Sonoma, CA/Sonoma Valley HS) added 14 points and hit one 3-pointer. He is now in sole possession of Willamette's career 3-point record at 176. Boydell increased his career scoring total to 1,339 points and needs 13 more to tie for 10th on the Bearcats' all-time list.
WU advanced its record to 12-7 on the season, 7-4 in the NWC. Pacific Lutheran fell to 11-9 overall, 4-7 in NWC play.
Frank and Boydell were the only Bearcats in double figures. Caleb Moore (So., G, Wadley, GA/Washington County HS/Bard College) and Kahiau Bruhn (So., W, Waimanalo, HI/Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama) both scored nine points, and D'Ante Dean (Jr., F, Nassau, Bahamas/British Columbia Christian Acad./Peninsula College) finished with eight.
The Bearcats gained a 39-37 rebounding margin, led by Bruhn with seven boards. Ryder Hsiung (Jr., G, Honolulu, HI/Punahou School) and DJ Jones (Fy., F, Surprise, AZ/Valley Vista HS) each earned five rebounds. Four other Bearcats tacked on four rebounds apiece to contribute to the balanced work on the glass.
Moore produced four assists and four steals. Frank was credited with three assists, while Bruhn registered three steals. The Bearcats recorded 11 steals on PLU's 13 turnovers.
Brandin Riedel topped the Lutes with 22 points and hit 10 of 13 field goals. He also provided PLU with six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a blocked shot. Sam Noland accumulated 10 points, while Jason Montes latched onto nine rebounds.
Willamette trailed 10-5 after Montes made a jump shot with 16:40 to play in the half. The Bearcats responded with a 14-0 run to claim a 19-10 advantage with 11:28 on the clock. During the run, Bruhn scored five points and Anujan Tennathur (Fy., G, Cupertino, CA/Saint Francis HS) earned four points. Moore and Bruhn each hit a 3-pointer.
PLU eventually tied the game at 23-23 when Riedel put in a layup at the 5:25 mark. Willamette tallied the next two baskets on layups by Boydell and Jones for a 27-23 edge. Montes scored on a jumper for the Lutes, but Frank sank a 3-pointer to give WU a 30-25 lead with 2:10 on the clock.
In the final 20 seconds of the first half, both teams scored. Jack Williams hit two free throws for PLU at the 16-second mark. Frank put through a jumper for Willamette with one second left to give the Bearcats a 34-29 advantage.
Early in the second half, Willamette grabbed a 41-33 lead on a driving layup by Hsiung. Frank tacked on a 3-point basket to increase the margin to 44-33 with 14:25 to go. After PLU added a basket, Frank scored on another 3-pointer to open a 6-0 run. Jones completed the run with a traditional three-point play on a layup and a foul shot. WU held a 50-35 lead with 12:34 to play.
The Lutes threatened to rally, as they cut the margin to 10 points three times, including 55-45 on a basket by Riedel with 9:02 left. WU extended the lead to 68-46 with 5:44 to go after a 13-1 run. Boydell earned eight points in the run on a 3-pointer, a traditional three-point play, and a layup. PLU got within 10 points twice in the final 2:08, but didn't move closer.
Willamette shot 43.5% (27 of 62) on field goals, including 45.8% (11 of 24) from 3-point range. The Bearcats were a perfect 17 for 17 at the free throw line. Pacific Lutheran connected on 26 of 64 field goals (40.6%), and made just 5 of 23 long-range attempts (21.7%). PLU was 13 of 18 at the free throw line (72.2%).
The Bearcats will take on NWC rival Linfield University on Saturday, Feb. 3 in McMinnville, Oregon. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. PST.
