WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- The Loggers win a tight battle with the Whitman Blues, taking a 58-56 victory home to Tacoma. 

How it Happened
Hugo Rutherfurd got the Loggers going to start the game, drilling a three after the Blues turned the ball over. Zane Miller followed that up with a jumper of his own, as the Loggers got off to a quick 5-0 start. Two more free throws by Miller and a triple by Trevon Hamilton made it a nine-point game, as the Loggers stormed into the first media timeout up 12-4. They continued to pile the points on, as back-to-back threes by Miller and Beckett Turner extended Puget Sound's lead to twelve. 

Whitman slowly started to chip away at the Logger's lead, but a slew of free throws made it 26-16 in favor of the Logs. The Blues continued to cut into the Logger's lead, bringing ot back to four. A tough and-one by Ian Cook and a layup by Trevon Hamilton brought the lead back to nine, setting the Loggers up well going into the final minutes of the half. A short run by Whitman cut the lead to three at the half, though, as the Loggers took a 35-32 lead into the break. 

The second half was a defensive battle, as both teams combined for a total of 47 points in the period. The Blues tied the game up at 37 apiece, and even took their first lead of the game in the first three minutes. The teams scrambled for position, but a pair of free throws by Turner and a layup by Cook put the Logs back on top. 

The teams continued to fight, as a number of lead changes ensued. After a Blues technical foul, Turner drilled a three, and Rutherfurd layed it in to cap off a 7-0 Loggers run. The defense took over, holding the Blues scoreless for over seven minutes. The Blues charged back in the final minutes, though, cutting the lead to one with 43 seconds left. 

After a missed Rutherfurd layup, the Blues had the final chance to seal the game. One Logger stood in the way, though, as with five seconds remaining, Turner drew a perfectly timed offensive foul. The Blues were forced to foul, and after Hamilton hit a free throw, the Blues didn't get the final shot off in time. The Loggers take this one, 58-56. 

Top Performers
Turner led the team with 14 points, also picking up 5 rebounds and sealing the game with a charge. Rutherfurd, Cook, and Miller all finished in double-digits as well, while Hamilton had a team-high six rebounds. 

Coach's Thoughts
"Very proud of how we gutted out a tough win in a tough place to play!" said Logger head coach Aubrey Shelton. "Winning a game on the road while shooting 20% in the 2nd half is not easy, but shows how well we competed defensively and the impact of getting to the line. Beckett was exceptional on his birthday on both ends.  Four guys in double figures shows how well we shared the ball. Big shoutout to our "bench mob" for bringing major energy!"

What Happens Next
The Loggers take on the George Fox Bruins on Friday, January 30th. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm in Newberg, Ore.