SALEM, Oregon – Paul Johnson came away with his 10^th 20-point game of the season, but the Puget Sound men's basketball team lost at Willamette, 84-80, Saturday night.
 
Johnson scored 23 points by shooting 9-for-16 from the floor and 4-for-9 from beyond the arc. Cal Hansen added 19 points for the Loggers (8-14, 3-9 NWC), and Taj Phillips scored 11 points. Phillips, a freshman, has scored in double digits in five of his last six games.
 
The Loggers and Bearcats (6-13, 3-8 NWC) were even at halftime, 36-36. Four minutes into the second half, Johnson hit a trey that gave Puget Sound a 45-40 advantage.
 
A 3-pointer by Willamette cut the Loggers' lead to 49-48 with 14:20 on the clock, and for the next seven-and-a-half minutes neither team led by more than one possession.
 
With 6:45 on the clock, Willamette earned a trip to the line for two free-throws with a 66-63 lead. It made the first attempt, but missed the second. The Bearcats grabbed the offensive board, and the extra possession turned into a 3-pointer that gave the Bearcats a 70-63 lead.
 
The Loggers were unable to get back to within three points for the rest of the game.
 
Puget Sound returns home to host Whitman Friday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m.