Box Score PORTLAND, Oregon – The postseason-bound Puget Sound men's basketball team finished its regular season with a thrilling 79-75 overtime victory at Lewis & Clark Saturday evening.
 
With an 11-5 Northwest Conference record, the Loggers head to Walla Walla, Washington next week for the Northwest Conference Tournament (Feb. 24-25). The Loggers are the #2 seed, and they will play #3 Whitworth in the first round. 
 
Five Loggers scored in double figures, led by 18 points from Mussie Teclemariam. Taj Phillips and Grant Erickson both scored 12 points, while Dezman Baker and Drew Gillette both scored 11 points off the bench.
 
The Loggers led by as much as 43-31 early in the second half, but the Pioneers didn't back down on their senior night. Lewis & Clark tied the game, 57-57, with 6:35 left in regulation. Although the Loggers never trailed from that point through end of regulation, they just couldn't pull away and the teams needed an extra period after being locked up, 68-68, through 40 minutes.
 
The Pioneers raced out to a 73-68 lead in overtime, but Phillips ended that run by hitting a 3-pointer. Following a defensive stop, Erickson found Baker in the paint for two points, tying the score, 73-73.
 
After a couple of empty possessions by both teams, Phillips came up with a steal and found Baker for an easy transition layup that put the Loggers in front.
 
Lewis & Clark had a couple of looks to at least tie the game, but Teclemariam pulled down a defensive board and was immediately fouled with 26 seconds on the clock. He knocked down both free-throws, making it a two-possession game and effectively putting the Pioneers out of reach.