This weekend was exciting for the Puget Sound men’s basketball team for many reasons. The team played their final games of the season at home, while celebrating Senior Day during the final game on Saturday. Fans packed Memorial Fieldhouse both Friday and Saturday night to support the Loggers as they finished off their season.
On Friday, Feb. 15 the Loggers played the Pacific University Boxers at home. Early within the game the Loggers quickly fell behind the Boxers.
The Boxers had a 23-13 lead ahead of the Loggers, while also having a significant number of turnovers. These turnovers benefited the Loggers as they continued fight for control of the game. Towards for the end of the first half, senior Gabe Borboa (Northridge, Calif.) tied the game for the Loggers after a quick layup.
Soon after, senior Rex Holmes (Chico, Calif.) scored and took the Loggers in for the lead 29-27. The Loggers continued to score more points over the Boxers and finished the first half 34-29.
At the start of the second half the Loggers started off strong in order to maintain control over the Boxers. However, the Boxers also fought back against the Loggers, since it was their final game of the season.
The Loggers kept the lead most of the second half, but the Boxers also kept the Loggers from advancing their 52-42 score. The Boxers slowly reclaimed the lead from the Loggers. Both teams continued to switch off control of the game until the final minutes.
Within in the final minute of the game the Boxers had a two-point lead, and after several free throws they had the game easily won against the Loggers, 66-61.
Sophomore Derek Jobe (Puyallup, Wash.) led the Loggers in scoring with 16 points, and sophomore Erin Barber (Puyallup, Wash.) had 12 points.
Saturday, Feb. 16 the Loggers finished their final game of the season against George Fox. This game was close throughout as both teams battled for control of the game. There were 16 lead changes as both teams struggled for the win.
The game continued this way deep into the second half until Holmes scored a three pointer to give the Loggers a 74-73 lead against George Fox. This was not enough to win the game as George Fox scored again, and the second half ended in a 76-76 tie forcing the game into overtime.
During the overtime period, junior Rex Nelson (Enumclaw, Wash.) secured the Loggers’ early lead in the beginning. This still was not enough for the Loggers to overcome George Fox, and they sadly lost their final game of the season 88-83 in overtime.
For this final game Nelson was the lead scorer with 21 points, while Holmes had 16 points. Several Loggers contributed to the Loggers’ high score, including Jobe with 12 points, junior Dan Cheledinas (Seattle, Wash.) with 10 points, and junior AJ Maw (Lake Stevens, Wash.) scored 12 points for the Loggers. Borboa scored eight points and nine rebounds for the Loggers.
The Loggers played a tough and strong season this year, and that showed in their final game against George Fox. After honoring their four seniors of the teams, Borboa, Holmes, Ryan Rogers (Tacoma, Wash.) and Riggs Yarbro (Moses Lake, Wash.), the Loggers officially concluded their season with the loss against George Fox.