Boxers Nip Wildcats, 54-50

Linfield saw its record fall to 3-11 in the NWC, 8-16 overall.

Salem-News.com SPORTS

FOREST GROVE - Ross Bartlett’s bucket from close range with 15.4 seconds remaining sealed a 54-50 Northwest Conference victory for the Pacific Boxers over the Linfield Wildcats Friday night at the Pacific Athletic Center.

Donny Harrison-Davis scored a game-high 15 points for Pacific, which improved its conference record to 7-8 and 11-13 overall.

Linfield saw its record fall to 3-11 in the NWC, 8-16 overall.

The tug-of-war first half witnessed eight ties and five lead changes. Neither team was particularly polished at the offensive end, with Linfield shooting 32 percent to Pacific’s 28 percent.

The Boxers scored the first basket of the second half and eventually built a 34-29 cushion with 14 minutes left to play.

Linfield narrowed the margin to one on a putback by Sten Morgan with 12:16 to play. The Wildcats trailed until 4:53 remained, taking a 46-45 lead on a 3-poitner by Khaatim Smith.

A pair of free throws by Kyle Motta put the hosts back in front, but a fast-break layin by Ryan Chisolm gave Linfield a 1-point lead.

With 2:19 left, Bartlett cashed in a pair of free throws for a 50-48 Boxers advantage, then two more charity tosses by Harrison-Davis moments later put the hosts in front by four.

Emil Kim snipped the margin the two with a jumper in the lane, but Barlett answered with the game-winning layup with as the shot clock ticked down.

Bartlett was a force on the glass for the Boxers, grabbing 15 rebounds to go with 12 poitns and three steals.

Kim was the lone Wildcat to reach double figures in scoring, netting a dozen points on 4 of 8 shooting.

Khaatim Smith had nine points and Evan Timperly had eight points.

Linfield wraps up the 2006-07 season on its home floor. The Wildcats take on defending NWC champion Puget Sound Saturday night at 8:00 PM.

Five seniors will be honored prior to their final games: Timperly, Baldwin, Charles Elliott (Jr., Honolulu, Hawaii), Jeremy Goodman (Sr., Ridgefield, Wash.) and Khaatim Smith (Sr., Bellevue, Wash.).

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