TACOMA, Wash. -- The Loggers drop a heartbreaker 58-59 at the buzzer to the Linfield Wildcats.
How it Happened
The Loggers made the very first basket of the game, and didn't lead again until late in the second half.
Zane Miller nailed the opening bucket, but a 10-0 Wildcat run immediately followed. A pair of
Ian Cook baskets helped move the Loggers along, but after nearly every shot fell for the Wildcats, the Loggers found themselves down 18-6. A couple of other Loggers got in on the scoring action, as
Khaled Artharee and
Hugo Rutherfurd got their first buckets of the game.
The Loggers used that momentum to slowly start moving back into the game, but the teams were locked in a dead heat. A couple of buckets by Miller and
Kobe Smith helped pull the Loggers within six, but the Wildcats always seemed to have an answer. Puget Sound went into halftime down 31-23, as their defense kept the score within reach.
The second half started with a pair of Wildcat buckets, but a Cook layup and six straight free throws helped the Loggers stay within reach. Their valiant efforts were met with a pair of Wildcat threes, though, as Linfield kept responding as soon as the Loggers had any momentum. The team started to settle in, though, as back-to-back threes by
Aaydan Saucedo and Miller pulled the Loggers within four.
Puget Sound continued to fight, using their home court advantage to come all the way back to tie the game at 51 apiece. Before the Loggers could get their footing, the Wildcats went on a 6-0 run, taking a six-point lead with just under three minutes to go. The Loggers responded with a 7-0 run of their own, as a deep three by Miller and a slew of free throws gave the Loggers their second lead of the game. After getting a stop, the Loggers couldn't find another basket, and a tip-in at the buzzer gave the Wildcats the 58–59 victory.
Top Performers
Miller finished with 15 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals, while Rutherfurd finished with 10 points and three assists.
What Happens Next
The Loggers take on the Pacific Boxers tomorrow, January 17th, at 5:00 pm.
