TACOMA, Washington – The Puget Sound men's basketball team erased a 12-point deficit in the second half to beat Gustavus Adolphus, 77-76, in Memorial Fieldhouse Wednesday night.
 
The Gusties held a 43-40 lead at halftime, but the lead grew to 54-42 five-and-a-half minutes into the second half.
 
A couple of layups by Mussie Teclemariam, with a Gusties turnover in between, cut Puget Sound's deficit to 54-46. The Logger defense got another stop, and Dezman Baker hit a 3-pointer from the left wing to make it a 54-49 game.
 
Following Puget Sound's third consecutive defensive stop, Charlie DeBoer drilled a 3-pointer to bring the Loggers to within 54-52 with 12 minutes left in regulation.
 
The Gusties held a 59-56 lead when Grant Erickson hit a jumper from the top of the key. Following a missed opportunity by the Gusties, Taj Phillips scored in the paint to give the Loggers a 60-59 lead with 8:33 on the clock.
 
With five minutes left in regulation, DeBoer broke a 67-67 tie by hitting another 3-pointer. The ensuing Gusties possession ended with a missed jumper, and Baker scored on the other end to give Puget Sound a 72-67 lead.
 
Alas, no lead for either team was safe in this game. Gustavus Adolphus took a 76-74 lead with less than one minute remaining. Teclemariam worked the boards in Puget Sound's ensuing possession. He putback an offensive rebound and drew a foul for the traditional three-point play, giving Puget Sound a 77-76 edge with 12 seconds left.
 
The Gusties had two looks to take the lead in the game's final seconds, but they missed both shots.
 
Five Loggers scored in double figures, led by Teclemariam's 17 points. Baker scored 12 points and Drew Gillette added 11, both coming off the bench. Liam Ruttledge chipped in 10 points.
 
Erickson notched his first double-double of the season, finishing with 10 points and 12 boards.
 
The Loggers return to Memorial Fieldhouse in just a few days when Puget Sound hosts Portland Bible Monday, Jan. 2, at 5 p.m.