FOREST GROVE, Ore. — Skyler Burgess scored 24 points and his Pacific teammates led from start to finish during a 72-56 win over Willamette in men's basketball action on Friday night at the Stoller Center.

The game was the Northwest Conference opener for both teams. Pacific improved to 4-3 overall with the win while the Bearcats fell to 1-5.

Pacific scored the first six points of the game and never trailed in racing to the home victory. They out-rebounded the Bearcats 44-26, including a 34-17 margin on the defensive end.

Burgess led the Boxers on a torrid first half run, hitting seven of his nine shots for 17 points at the break. He and his teammates came out of the gates on fire, building a ten-point lead just a little over five minutes into the game thanks in part to a pair of Bobby Ahern three-pointers.

Pacific would lead by as many as 13 points in the first half after K.C. Harrison's third trey with 2:55 left before intermission (36-23). The Boxers would go into the locker room with a 38-29 margin after 20 minutes, and a 21-11 rebound edge.

The Bearcats would make a run of their own after intermission, pulling to within one point (40-39) after a three-point play by Alex Brown. But Pacific would quickly answer with an 8-0 run. Later in the half DeVon Pouncey would score four straight baskets as the hosts increased their lead to 16 points (63-47) with just over six minutes remaining.

Burgess' 24 points led all scorers. He hit 10 of 12 shots, had eight rebounds and three blocked shots. Michael Joseph had 15 rebounds, Pouncey finished with 12 points (all in the second half) and Harrison contributed 11 counters. Pacific shot 56 percent from the floor in the game and held the Bearcats to 36 percent marksmanship.

Brown led the visitors with 13 points.

The Boxers will return to the Stoller Center court less in less than 24 hours, hosting George Fox. Start time is 6 p.m.