The Willamette Bearcats inched past the Pioneer men 75-73 in the
final seconds of play on Monday night at Pamplin Sports Center
during the second half of their prolonged three-day event. After a
power outage during halftime in Saturday's contest, the
second period was rescheduled for Monday, January 19.
The Bearcats took the lead early Saturday night, earning a
12-point lead in the first eight minutes of play. The Pioneers, who
have lost just one home game this season, took charge in the final
10 minutes of the half. At the 6:10 mark, the Pioneers took their
first lead of the game 25-23 on a James Hollins (fr., Phoenix,
Ariz.) three pointer, hitting nothing but the bottom of the net.
Even the Bearcats' shooting success could not hold off the
determined Pioneers, whose momentum and energy flooded the gym in
the final minutes of the half. Despite going just 31.0% from the
floor in the first half, the Pioneers earned six more shot attempts
than the Bearcats, who went an impressive 13-23 from the floor. The
Pioneer defense was hard at work on the other end of the floor,
forcing nine Bearcat turnovers and earning four steals. The
Pioneers entered halftime with a 35-32 lead over the Bearcats.
Monday evening opened the second half play of the contest at
35-32. The Pioneers picked up where they left off on Saturday night
as they kicked off a 5-0 run to start the half. In a neck-and-neck
battle, the next 20 minutes of play would foreshadow an unknown
outcome. Both teams attacked on offense, but the Pioneers were able
to maintain their three-point lead for the first 13 minutes of
play. But at the six minute mark, the Bearcats had earned their way
back to just a one-point deficit, while the Pioneers continued to
answer on offense. Exchanging baskets nearly every possession,
there was no room for error, as each turnover resulted in a scoring
attempt for the opposing team. At the 6:24 mark, the Pioneers
scored what would be their only basket for the next five minutes.
Four minutes later, the lead shifted to the Bearcats and the
Pioneers would not score again until the 1:11 mark. Down by four
points with 48 seconds to go, the Pioneers found James Edwards for
a lay-up at the :29 mark. As the Pioneers resorted to fouling, the
Bearcats held on to their two point lead, ending the game at
75-73.
Josh Kollasch (jr., Tucson, Ariz.) posted another impressive game
with 22 points, five assists and five steals to lead the Pioneers.
Tyson Papenfuss (sr., Clackamas, Ore.) took over in the paint with
17 points on 6-9 shooting and 5-6 from the stripe. James Hollins
added 13 points for the Pioneers.
With the loss the Pioneers share the second place slot with
Whitworth and Willamette at 4-2 in NWC and 10-5 overall. They will
return to action on Friday, January 23, when they host the
Whitworth Pirates at Pamplin Sports Center. Tip-off is set for 8 pm
following the women's game at 6 pm.
