12/30 - LINFIELD 105, GEORGE FOX 72: Wildcats Overpower Bruins in Cactus Jam Consolation Contest
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Two familiar foes squared off in the consolation game of the 2003 Cactus Jam Division III men's basketball Tournament Tuesday afternoon here at Phoenix College, with the Linfield College Wildcats polishing off their Yamhill County colleagues, the George Fox University Bruins, 105-72.
It was the 7th straight loss for the Bruins to their fellow Northwest Conference opponents, and the 10th time in the last 11 meetings that at least one of the teams has scored 100 points or more. The Linfield win also evened the all-time series with the Bruins at 34-34 (since 1965, as far back as George Fox official records go).
The game was tight until late in the first half, George Fox actually taking 33-27 lead on a 3-pointer by Brett Yeager with 8:46 to go. From that point until the end of the half, the Wildcats outscored the Bruins 22-4 to lead 49-37 at the break. The Bruins got back within four at 52-48 on a tip-in by Scott Szalay with 17:44 left, but the Wildcats went on 22-2 spurt over the next five minutes to take complete control.
Linfield won with superior shooting, connecting on 55.4% of their shots (41-74) to 43.4% (23-53) for the Bruins. The Wildcats also canned 11-22 from 3-point range. Mark Gayman was the George Fox scoring leader with 14 points, while Szalay and Ben Melvin added 10 each. Szalay was the top Bruin on the boards with 10 rebounds, while Aaron Schmick had 5 assists.
John Broussard led a quintet of Wildcats in double figures with 22 points, followed by Chris Lewis with 17, Blake Shelton 15, T.J. Middlesworth 13, and Sam Kreiger 11. Middlesworth had 7 rebounds as Linfield controlled the boards 42-35. Joe Neill handed out 6 assists.
George Fox dropped to 3-5 on the season, while Linfield evened its record at 5-5.
Both teams are off until Friday, Jan. 9, when they open Northwest Conference play. The Bruins will host the University of Puget Sound and the Wildcats will entertain Pacific Lutheran University, both games at 8:00 p.m. following women's games at 6:00 p.m.