TACOMA, Washington – The Puget Sound men's basketball has been scuffling as of late, but the Loggers can turn it around at Lewis & Clark (Feb. 4) and Willamette (Feb. 5) this weekend.
 
What gives?
The Loggers have lost five of their last six games, but it's not for a lack of offense. The Loggers are shooting a respectable 45.0-percent from the floor in the last six games, including 36.7-percent from 3-point range. For comparison's sake, 45.0 field-goal percentage would rank fourth overall in the NWC this season, and the Loggers' 3-point shooting in the past six games would rank third overall.
 
Crashing the boards
Puget Sound has totaled at least 40 rebounds in each of the last three games, averaging 43.3 boards during that stretch. Grant Erickson posted his second double-double of the season against Pacific (Jan. 21), and he pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds against George Fox (Jan. 28). Erickson is averaging 10.3 rebounds in his last three games. Cal Hansen is the Loggers' leading rebounder with 7.8 boards per game – putting him second in the NWC.
 
Have a Paul
Paul Johnson has scored at least 20 points in each of his last three games, and he has reached at least 20 points nine times this season. Over the last three games, Johnson is averages 24.0 points while shooting 50-percent (22-for-44) from the floor. With 19.5 points per game on the season, Johnson is the conference's third-leading scorer.
 
Meet again
In Memorial Fieldouse on month ago, the Loggers lost to Willamette, 103-87, but bounced back to beat Lewis & Clark, 72-71, the following day.
 
Scouting Willamette (5-12, 2-7 NWC)
The Bearcats enter the weekend with three consecutive losses, and five losses in their last six games. Willamette is the conference's second-highest scoring team (82.9), but it commits the second-most turnovers (17.1). The team revolves around Cedric Coward, who ranks fourth in the NWC in scoring (18.4), first in rebounding (11.9), second in field-goal percentage (62.0), fourth in assists (3.9), and first in blocks (3.1). Willamette allows the most points (92.8) in the NWC.
 
Scouting Lewis & Clark (7-12, 1-10 NWC)
The Pioneers recently snapped an eight-game losing streak by beating George Fox, 82-59 (Feb. 1). Brenden Patrick (15.9) and Jack Henderson (14.6) rank sixth and seventh, respectively, in the NWC. Henderson also ranks third in rebounding (7.1). The Pioneers shoot just 31.6-percent from beyond the arc, and 43.1-percent from the floor.