1/7 - GEORGE FOX 78, WHITMAN 75: Double-Doubles by Szalay, Gayman Lead Bruins by Missionaries
WALLA WALLA, Wash. - Scott Szalay and Mark Gayman each posted double-doubles, leading the George Fox University Bruins to a 78-75 win over the Whitman College Missionaries, the first time the Bruins have won here in 10 years of Northwest Conference play, in the men's basketball league opener for both teams Friday night at the Sherwood Center.
Szalay had a career-high 25 points, including 9-11 from the free throw line, and 10 rebounds, for his 6th career double-double, while Gayman scored 13 and had 11 boards for his 17th career double-double and 2nd this season.
Led by their big guns, the Bruins jumped out to an early lead of 8-1 and eventually stretched their advantage to 15 at 41-26 with 4:05 left in the half on a layup by Philip Heu-Weller. However, the Missionaries went on 17-6 tear to close out the half and trailed only 47-43 at the break. The Bruins hit .731 (19-26) in the first half to maintain their lead while Whitman was sinking .531 (17-32).
George Fox stayed in front throughout the second half as well, raising its lead back to as many as 10 at 57-47 on a Szalay basket with 14:53 remaining. The Missionaries fought back within one point three times thereafter, the last time at 76-75 on a layup by Erik Kofler with 1:20 left. Gayman hit a crucial layup at 1:04 for the final margin, and the Missionaries missed potential game-tying three-pointers by Ian Warner and Matt Kelly in the final five seconds.
In addition to the big nights by Szalay and Gayman, Aaron Schmick nailed 7-9 from the field and scored 15 points. Brent Satern passed out 3 assists. The Bruins finished with a .588 shooting percentage (30-51) and canned 15-22 free throws while Whitman got only 5-11 from the stripe.
Kelly topped the home team with 19 points, Warner and Kofler scored 11 apiece, and Kyle Born added 10. Born also led the Missionaries, who held a slight 35-34 edge on the boards, with 9 rebounds, while Greg Ricker, Mike Peterson, and Kelly all had 3 assists each.
George Fox is now 5-4 overall and Whitman is 2-7. The Bruins are at Whitworth College in Spokane Saturday night while Whitman hosts Linfield College, both at 8:00 p.m. following women's contests at 6:00 p.m.