BOX SCORE

PORTLAND, Ore. - Senior Connor Freeberg netted a season-high 21 points on Friday night as the Lewis & Clark men's basketball team defeated the George Fox Bruins 79-78 in Northwest Conference action. 

The win moves the Pioneers to 9-3 on the season and 2-1 in conference action. The Bruins fall to 8-4 overall and 1-2 in the NWC.

Freeberg also collected a team-high 10 rebounds to earn him his first double-double of the year. The senior guard shot over 50% from the free-throw line, while ending the night 6-of-11 from the floor. He also came up with a game-high three steals. Justin Leathers finished his night with 18 points which included another electrifying dunk. The junior forward was 7-of-10 from the floor and pulled down eight rebounds. 

Sean Atkins led the Bruins with a game-high 27 points and 14 boards. A.J. Grant also finished in double figures, scoring 15, while Spencer Bolte had 10 points. 

Lewis & Clark opened the game on a 7-0 run over the first two minutes. The Pioneers then went onto earn its first double-digit lead with 14:31 to go on a Serg Ovchinnikov jumper that made it 15-4.

The Bruins fought their way back into the game over the next seven minutes, collecting their first lead of the game after back-to-back Atkins free-throws. George Fox captured its largest lead of the game with 1:05 until halftime with a free-throw that made it 44-31. Bradley Carter hit the final basket of the half, cutting the Pioneer deficit to 44-33.

The Pioneers slowly clawed their way back into the contest in the second half with Freeberg pulling them within one point with 13:01 to go. Just two and a half minutes later Freeberg hit consecutive free-throws tying the contest at 61-61. Kurt Parker followed up the free-throws with a layup that earned the Pios their first lead since early in the first half. The lead however was short lived as the Bruins quickly recaptured the advantage on a Bolte jumper. 

Freeberg tied the contest once again, this time laying one in at the 6:46 mark, making it a 69-69 game. However, just like last time the Bruins recaptured the lead. With 1:03 remaining Freeberg hit his eighth free-throw of the night knotting the game at 77 all. Thirty seconds later the Bruins again took the lead, making it a 78-77 game. With time ticking away, freshman Randall Jackson pulled up and drained his jumper, earning the Pios a slim 79-78 advantage with just 13 seconds left on the clock. The basket would prove to be enough as Grant missed his last second shot, allowing the Pioneers to walk away with the win.    

Lewis & Clark hits the road for its next contest. Traveling to Linfield on Saturday, Jan. 11 for an 8 p.m. tip.