Showing no ill effects from a three-and-a-half week layoff over the holidays (George Fox had last played on Dec. 10), the Bruins hit 15-25 in the first half, including 4-7 from three-point range, and built up a 44-40 halftime lead. The Wolves were almost as hot, hitting .565 (13-23) in the half.
The second half was a different story, however, as both teams slumped, the Bruins hitting only 10-28 from the field and 1-9 from behind the arc, while the Wolves managed only .333 shooting (10-30). However, the home team hit 4 from three-point range and sank 7-14 on free throws to only 3-5 from the line for the Bruins in the half, enabling the Wolves to pull out the win.
Mark Gayman paced the Bruins with 21 points, Aaron Schmick added 12, and Scott Szalay had 10. Szalay was the Bruins’ top rebounder with 8, while Ben Melvin had 4 assists.
Clinton Bartlett came off the bench to lead the Wolves with 16 points, Ashton Bartlett scored 12, and Ryan White had 11. Ryan Wilson was the Wolves’ leading rebounder with 7 as Walla Walla held a 34-28 edge on the boards. Mark McEowen and Jeremy Claridge had 5 assists apiece.
George Fox fell to .500 at 4-4, while Walla Walla climbed to 4-9 by snapping a six-game losing streak. It was the first meeting on the hardwood for the two teams.
The Bruins open Northwest Conference play Friday at Whitman College at 8:00 p.m., following the women’s game at 6:00 p.m. The Wolves are off until Thursday, Jan. 13, when they visit Northwest Christian College for a 7:30 p.m. contest.