For the first time in the lifetime of any of its 24 players, Pacific's men's basketball team will play in the postseason.
 
The Boxers defeated Linfield 87-78 Saturday night at home to secure its spot in next week's Northwest Conference tournament. 
 
Needing a win to close the regular season, Pacific left no doubt, jumping out to a 15-4 lead. The Boxers never trailed in the game. 
 
"It's unreal," Pacific head coach Justin Lunt said. "It's been challenging, but our guys have always trusted the process and bought into what we do. It means a lot. I just feel like this is a super special place and we can do a lot of great things here." 
 
After Pacific expanded its lead to 25 points in the second half, Linfield battled back with a 10-0 run to get within eight points with 2:51 remaining. But that was as close as the Wildcats would get. 


 
Pacific last reached the postseason in 2000 when the Boxers played in the Division III NCAA Tournament. 
 
The Northwest Conference tournament started with three teams in 2004-05 before expanding to its current four-team format. 
 
Junior Lucas Winkler led Pacific against Linfield, finishing with 25 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and four steals. 
 
"Lucas Winkler was the one behind it," Lunt said of the Boxers reaching their goal of making the conference tournament. "His leadership and who he is as a person and as a player is phenomenal. He's one of the best I've ever been around and I've been fortune to be around some pretty darn good ones."
 
Junior Devin Fortune had 20 points and six rebounds. Senior Truman Young, playing his final home game at Pacific, added 13 points, two rebounds and three assists. 
 
As the No. 3 seed in the NWC tournament, Pacific will travel to Whitworth to play No. 2 Whitman Friday at 6 p.m. No. 1 Whitworth plays No. 4 Puget Sound in the other semifinal. The championship game is scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. 
 
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 Instagram and Twitter.
 
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