SALEM, Ore.- The Pacific University men's basketball team escaped with a 99-90 win on Friday night against Willamette University. The Boxers were able to hold off a strong comeback attempt in the second half from the Bearcats.
 
Pacific (10-14, 6-9 NWC) had a very efficient night from the floor shooting 38-59 (64.4%) on the night. They also found success on the night from behind the three-point line shooting 11-22 (50%).
 
Willamette (6-17, 4-11 NWC) struggled in the first half before outscoring the Boxers 58-47 in the second half. The Bearcats were led by Cedric Coward who scored 30 points while collecting 13 rebounds.
 
Jacob Bolger (Junior/Portland, OR) led the way for the Boxers scoring 29 points on 14-16 (87.5%) shooting from the floor. Bolger had his presence felt on the defensive end as well recording two blocks on the night.
 
Mario Mora (Senior/Bend, OR) got his last weekend in a Boxer uniform off to a great start scoring a career high 26 points on a career high seven made three-pointers. In the first half he was 5-6 from downtown.
 
Lucas Winkler (Freshman/Portland, OR) had a double-double on the night with 17 points and 10 assists in 24 minutes of action. He also led the Boxers defensively with three steals.
 
How It Happened
 
The Boxers got out to an early 11-5 lead at the first media timeout with 15:47 remaining in the first half. Following the media timeout, the Boxers went on a 10-1 scoring run with balanced scoring coming from four different Boxers on the run. Mora forced Willamette to take their second timeout of the first half when he made back-to-back three pointers in a stretch of 28 seconds.  The Boxers continued to be in control through the rest of the first half talking a 52-32 lead into the halftime break.
 
The Bearcats would come out in the second half ready to lead a comeback effort. The Boxers would score on the first five possessions of the half opening up a 25-point lead. The hosts however would respond with a 18-6 run of their own to trail 70-57 with 12:36 remaining. The two teams would trade baskets before Winkler would split a pair of free throws putting the Boxers up 81-61 with 9:38 remaining. The Bearcats would hold the Boxers scoreless over the next 1:43 getting the deficit to six following a Coward layup. The Boxers would turn the ball over a couple times allowing the Bearcats to be down three, 88-85, with 3:07 remaining. This would be the furthest the Boxers leading margin would be shrunk as they would pull away on the way to the 99-90 victroy.
 
By The Numbers

• The Boxers were outscored 19-9 on second chance points.
• Pacific led for all 40 minutes of the contest
• The rebounding battle was won by the Boxers 40-29

Up Next
 
Next up for the Boxers will be the season finale and senior night for the Boxers on Saturday, February 19^th against the University of Puget Sound. There will be pregame festivities to honor the Boxers three seniors.
 
For the latest information on Pacific Athletics, make sure to check out GoBoxers.com. You can also find the Boxers on social media at @GoBoxers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
 
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