OLYMPIA, Wash. – A 25-2 run by 20th-ranked Puget Sound was enough to give the Loggers enough cushion to hold off an upset bid by the Evergreen Goeducks as visiting UPS earned the 69-59 win in a non-conference men’s basketball game on Wednesday night at CRC Gymnasium in Olympia, Wash.
The Loggers (8-0) took the initial lead on a lay-up by Edric Egberuare just under two minutes into the game as held the advantage for the opening minutes. Evergreen (1-9), making their home debut, fed off the crowd to take the lead with 14:58 left to go in the opening period and the Geoducks managed to push the lead the six with 11:45 left to go. With Evergreen holding a 20-15 lead at the 9:21 mark, the Loggers began their 25-2 run, holding the Geoducks without a basket from the 6:21 mark to the 52 second mark as UPS took a 41-24 halftime lead.
Evergreen came out ready to play in the second half, as they were able to get the difference in score down to single digits with 12:19 on the clock following a three-pointer by Travis Wagner (Federal Way, Wash./Green River CC). Unfortunately for the Geoducks, that would be as close as they would get as Puget Sound collected the 69-59 win, despite Evergreen winning the second half, 35-28.
The Geoducks were led by 15 points from both Patrick Lewis (Bremerton, Wash./Olympic College) and Tyrell Stephens (Tacoma, Wash./Mt. Tahoma HS). Senior Marice Tolliver (Tacoma, Wash./Lower Columbia College) collected the double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Evergreen turned the ball over just 15 times, compared with 23 for the high-tempo Loggers.
Puget Sound was led by 20 points from Anthony Gittens, who also added eight rebounds to lead UPS. Derek Jobe chalked up 11 in the win as the Loggers remained undefeated on the year. The Loggers held a 40-36 advantage in rebounding and shot well from the field, making 24 of 48 shots for an even 50%.
Evergreen takes their longest break of the season as they don’t hit the hardwood again until Dec. 19 when they travel to Salem, Ore. to take on Corban in a Cascade Conference tilt.
