SALEM, Ore. – The Willamette University Bearcats scored 40 points off the bench, but the Puget Sound Logger men's basketball team slid to an 88-86 finish on Saturday night. 

Liam Ruttledge scored a game-high 24 points going 7-for-12 from the field, while Taj Phillips followed with 17 points, nine assists and five rebounds in the win. Dezman Baker shot for 50% adding 16 points to the score. 

Freshman Hugo Rutherfurd shot off the opening jumper that was quickly equalized by the Bearcats, then a Zane Miller, Baker duo added six in the nine-point run that made the game 11-2. The game saw a lot of action from both sides, but the Loggers maintained the lead throughout the first half. Ruttledge scored 18 points going 4-of-7  from beyond the arc. The Loggers outshot the Bearcats 48-39 to end the first half. 

The Bearcats tied the game up 48-48 just 1:35 into the second half, and took the lead, 54-52, with 15:58 left in regulation. The Loggers quickly took the lead back with four points from Ruttledge. The Bearcats Josiah Frank scored three to tie the game up 86-86 with 0:36 left on the clock. Phillips floated the final shot into the hoop and held off the Bearcats Jack Boydell from scoring in the final seconds. 

Baker led the defensive push with seven rebounds for the Loggers, followed by Hugo Rutherfurd with three blocks, nine points and five rebounds. Puget Sound had twice as many turnovers as Willamette. The game saw six tied scores and two lead changes. 

The Loggers will be back at home Friday, Feb. 16 to face Whitman College at 6 p.m. in Memorial Fieldhouse. Then, on Saturday, Feb. 17, the Loggers will face Whitworth University in their final match of the season, five seniors will be honored prior to the 4 p.m. tip-off.