2/8 - PACIFIC 76, GEORGE FOX 68: Van Domelen Leads Late Charge to Lift Boxers by Bruins
FOREST GROVE, Ore. - Joe Van Domelen scored 18 of his game-high 20 points in the second half to go along with 12 rebounds as the Pacific University Boxers edged the visiting George Fox University Bruins 76-68 in Northwest Conference men's basketball Saturday night (Feb. 8) here at the Pacific Athletic Center.
The first half was tight as neither team could take control due to a combined 16 turnovers. The Bruins took an 18-16 lead on Zach Hollin's jumper at the 10:31 mark and stayed in front until Tim Dougherty's put-back with 2:39 left gave Pacific a 30-28 lead. Mark Gayman's jumper with 28 seconds left tied the game at 32-32 at the half.
The teams traded leads throughout most of the second half, matching each other shot for shot in the first 10 minutes. The Boxers pulled ahead 59-55 with a Van Domelen lay-in at the 8:50 mark. Both teams went scoreless for the next two minutes before two free throws by Aaron Schmick and a jumper by Brett Yeager tied the game at 59-59 with 5:22 left. There were three more lead changes over the next three minutes before another Van Domelen lay-in with 2:24 left started an 11-3 run, 8 by Van Domelen, that gave the Boxers the lead for good.
Brett Yeager led three Bruins in double figures with 14 points, Bryan Wadlow had 12, and Kenny Macy finished with 11. Yeager had 5 rebounds, and Trevor Person passed out 7 assists. It was a good shooting night for the Bruins as they connected on 50.9% (28-55).
In addition to Van Domelen's 20, Dan Lumpkin had a career-high 19 points, and Nick Kelsey contributed 11. Lumpkin added 10 rebounds to Van Domelen's dozen as the Boxers bashed the boards for a 39-20 rebound advantage. Kelsey had 6 assists. The Boxers also had a good night from the field, hitting 52.7% (29-55).
George Fox fell to 7-14 overall and 1-11 in the conference, while Pacific climbed to 9-11 overall and 6-5 in the NWC.
The Bruins are on the road to Tacoma next weekend, stopping first to take on the University of Puget Sound Friday (Feb. 14) at 8:00 p.m., following the women's game at 6:00 p.m. Pacific is at Lewis & Clark College Tuesday (Feb. 11), also at 8:00 p.m.