FOREST GROVE, Ore. - Pulling within one game of Northwest Conference perfection, the sixth-ranked Puget Sound Loggers stayed unblemished in conference play with a 76-64 win over the Pacific Boxers in a NWC men's basketball game on Friday night at the Pacific Athletic Complex in Forest Grove, Ore.

The Loggers took the lead just 19 seconds into the game on a lay-up by Robert Krauel (Phoenix, Ariz./North Canyon) and never looked back. The lead hit ten points at the 10:27 mark when Antwan Williams (Portland, Ore./Madison) hit a jumper to give Puget Sound an 18-8 lead. The Loggers maintained the double-digit advantage into the halftime break, leading 41-28.

In the second half, the Loggers pushed the lead to 18 points on a free throw by James Pinkney (San Diego, Calif./St. Augustine) with 13:27 remaining. The Boxers didn't give up, pulling within four points with just under four minutes remaining but the Loggers showed why they are the sixth-ranked team in the country, pulling back up by double digits to collect the 76-64 win.

The Loggers were led by 18 points from Williams, who also added four assists and four steals. Krauel ended up with 17 points on the night while Steffond Brown (Seattle, Wash./Lower Columbia CC) came off the bench to add 11 points in the win.

Pacific was led by 18 points off the bench from Marcus Kienlen. Garold Howe added 15 points and Ross Bartlett finished with 14 points in the losing effort.

The Loggers will conclude the 2008-09 regular season on Saturday night when they travel to Salem, Ore. to take on Willamette. Tip-off with the Bearcats is set for 8:00 p.m. at Cone Field House in Salem.

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