PARKLAND - Cameron Schilling put together one of the most complete games of his outstanding career on Friday night, tallying 29 points and 14 rebounds in lifting Pacific Lutheran past George Fox, 84-72, in Northwest Conference men's basketball action in Olson Auditorium.
The Lutes improved to 8-16 overall and 6-9 in the conference. George Fox, which has qualified for the conference postseason tournament, fell to 14-10 overall and 9-6 in the conference with the defeat.
Schilling, a 6-5 senior wing from nearby Federal Way, was nearly unstoppable. He scored PLU's first eight points, including hitting a pair of three-pointers, and by the half he had 15 points as the Lutes grabbed a 36-31 lead.
There was plenty of help for Schilling, particularly in the early going from freshman post Bryce Miller and senior guard Drew Earnest. After Schilling scored the first eight, Miller tallied the next six, and Earnest chipped in the next five. At that point, with 12:10 left in the half, the Lutes held a 19-13 advantage.
The Lutes led by as many as 11 points on four occasions in the opening period before settling for their five-point lead. George Fox scored the game's first three points and later grabbed an 11-10 lead on Jon Adrian's layup about 5 1/2 minutes into the game, but that was the last time that the Bruins would lead.
George Fox closed to within four points at 38-34 on Seth Brent's three-pointer less than a minute into the final period, but that was as close as the visitors got.
Kai Hoyt made a nice baseline drive for a layup to put PLU ahead 54-42 with 13:40 left, and about two minutes later Earnest drained a three to keep the Lutes ahead by a dozen.
The Bruins had one final run, pulling within six points at 67-61 on A.J. Grant's layup with 4:00 to play, but the Lutes again opened up a double-digit lead to put the game away.
Schilling shot 9-for-14 from the field overall, 3-for-4 from three-point range, and was perfect on all eight of his free throws. Of his 14 rebounds, five came on the offensive end, and he tied for team-high honors with five assists.
Miller scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds, Earnest ended up with 12 points and five assists, and Arvid Isaksen added 12 points. The Lutes shot 46 percent (29-for-63) overall, enjoyed a huge 42-26 advantage in rebounding, and turned the ball over just six times.
Anthony Sanchez scored 26 points to lead the Bruins, who also got 11 points from Grant and 10 from Brent. Spencer Bolte came off the bench to lead his team with five rebounds.
George Fox shot 51 percent (27-for-53) overall and 47 percent (7-for-15) from beyond the arc.
The Lutes play their final game of the season at home tomorrow night, hosting Lewis & Clark starting at 8 o'clock. Seniors Schilling, Earnest and Cameron Reister will be honored prior to the start of the game.
- PLU -