TACOMA, Washington – The Puget Sound men's basketball team led by as many as 15 points in the second half, but the Loggers lost to Linfield, 69-67, in the Northwest Conference season-opener in Memorial Fieldhouse Friday night.
 
Puget Sound (3-5, 0-1 NWC) carried a 45-33 lead into halftime, and Paul Johnson opened the second half by hitting a 3-pointer to increase the advantage to 48-33. Thirty seconds later, Mussie Teclemariam hit a jumper – but it was the Loggers' last bucket from the floor for a long stretch.
 
The Loggers hit a seven-minute span in which they made only one field goal. Linfield narrowed its deficit to 54-49 before Teclemariam hit a 3-pointer with 8:40 on the clock.
 
The Wildcats kept clawing at the Loggers, and they tied the game for the first time in the second half, 67-67, with one minute left in regulation. Linfield scored the game-winning basketball with four seconds on the clock, and a desperation 3-pointer by Johnson at the buzzer came up short.
 
Johnson finished the game with 17 points and seven boards, while Teclemariam added 14 points off the bench. Cal Hansen put up nine points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
 
Puget Sound hosts George Fox Saturday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m.