Men's Basketball Release
1/14 - GEORGE FOX 88, WALLA WALLA 67: Satern's 15 Assists Tie National High as Bruins Whip Wolves
NEWBERG, Ore. - Point guard Brent Satern passed out 15 assists, tying the national single-game high in the NCAA Division III this season and leading the George Fox University Bruins to an 88-67 win over the Walla Walla College Wolves in their final non-conference men's basketball game of the year Saturday night here at the Wheeler Sports Center's Miller Gym.
Satern's assist total equaled the 15 posted by Steve Thomas of Rowan University against Rutgers University-Camden on Nov. 30, and tied for the sixth-best number in Bruin history. GFU Hall of Famer Brian Martin holds the top five marks, with a high of 20 vs. Warner Pacific on Jan. 19, 1991.
The Bruins broke away from an 8-8 tie with a 13-0 run in the first half to take control. Chris Parker's two free throws with 14:52 left ignited the run, which was capped by consecutive three-point goals by Nate Mansfield, Aaron Schmick, and Phil Heu-Weller, with Satern assisting on each one. The Bruins took their biggest lead of the game - 23 points - on a jumper by Matt Noble with 1:10 left in the half, and were up 49-30 at the break. Satern had 11 of his assists in the first 20 minutes.
George Fox maintained a double-digit lead throughout the second period. With burly Ryan Wilson working his way inside for 13 second-half points, the Wolves battled back within 10 points, making it 64-54 with 10:10 to play on a layup by Alan Krause. Wilson's steal gave the Wolves the ball with a chance to cut the lead to single digits, but Krause missed both ends of a two-shot foul and the Bruins took advantage. Scott Szalay and Schmick made goals and Parker hit two free throws to boost the lead back to 16 at 70-54 with 8:20 left, and the Wolves never threatened again.
Schmick led all scorers with 22 points for the Bruins, Szalay recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Parker added 18. After struggling with their shooting touch in the last two games at Linfield and Lewis & Clark, the Bruins rediscovered their aim on their home floor, making 35-59 from the field for 50.7%. The Bruins also committed only 9 turnovers, setting a school record with their fourth straight game with less than 10.
Krause topped the Wolves with 18 points, while Ashton Bartlett and Wilson added 15 apiece. Jeremy Claridge had 10 rebounds as the Wolves held a 38-36 edge on the boards, and also handed out 5 assists. The Wolves shot 40.4% (23-57) in the game and committed 21 turnovers.
George Fox (10-5), snapping a modest two-game losing streak, concluded its non-league play at 7-2, and now returns to Northwest Conference action Friday, hosting Pacific Lutheran University at 8 p.m. following the women's NWC game at 6 p.m. Walla Walla (13-9) had its four-game winning streak snapped and will try to start a new one Wednesday at 8 p.m. when the Wolves entertain Northwest Indian College.