SPOKANE, Wash. -- The Loggers' season comes to an end against Willamette, dropping their semifinal game 80-75 in the Northwest Conference Tournament. 

How it Happened
After a Bearcat three, Trevon Hamilton and Zane Miller got the log rolling, hitting the first two Logger buckets of the day. Willamette found their groove early, though, as the Loggers found themselves down 12-4 early in the game. A three by Conor Maguire and made jumper by Miller pulled the squad right back into the game, as they scored six unanswered points. After Willamette regained a five-point lead, Miller drilled a three, and Hugo Rutherfurd hit a tough and-one to give the Logs their first lead of the game. 

The Bearcats went on a 6-0 run of their own, pulling back ahead by five. The lead was extended to as large as nine in the first half, but the Loggers weren't done yet. Maguire hit a pair of free throws, Hamilton hit a jumper, and Aaydan Saucedo drilled a three to pull the Loggers within four. Dezman Baker hit a three shortly after to get his first points of the day, and after the Bearcats went up eight, Rutherfurd hit two free throws and slammed home a dunk to bring the Loggers within four at the half. 

Rutherfurd scored the opening points of the half as well to make it a one-possession game, but the Bearcats quickly extended their lead back to eight. Rutherfurd made another layup, followed by buckets by Ian Cook and Dante Deshautelle to make it 49-45 Bearcats. Cook made another layup in the paint, and a three by Miller cut the lead all the way down to one. Maguire found his way into the paint for a tough bucket, as a 5-0 run gave the Loggers a 58-57 lead. 

A pair of Bearcat free throws switched the lead back to Willamette, but a Rutherfurd three pulled the Logs ahead by two. With five minutes remaining, the Bearcat lead was back to seven, but Puget Sound wasn't done yet. Cook hit a jumper, and Saucedo hit a huge three to make it a two-point game. The teams then traded several possessions with no points scored, and the Loggers were forced to foul. Cook hit another shot to make it 74-72, but the Bearcats hit their free throws down the stretch. 

The Loggers' season comes to an end in Spokane, as they finish with their best conference record since the 2009 season. Willamette takes this one, 80-75. 

What Happens Next
Despite graduating three seniors, the Loggers return all three All-NWC honorees next season. Miller, Rutherfurd, and Hamilton will look to lead the Loggers back to the NWC Tournament next season.