PORTLAND, Ore. – The Lewis & Clark Pioneers defeated the Willamette Bearcats, 81-75, for their third consecutive win on Friday at Pamplin Sports Center. 

Leading by 14, the Pioneers had to fend off a comeback by Willamette over the final part of the second half. 

Four Pioneers hit double digits in scoring. Brenden Patrick and Jack Henderson had 19 apiece. Sam Henderson added 15 points and eight rebounds, while Ryan Cibull logged 10 points and five assists.

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Key Moments

Willamette (6-15, 3-10 NWC) struggled to open the second half and didn't hit a field goal over the first five minutes of the period. Lewis & Clark maintained a double-digit lead for a five-minute span to the midway point of the second half. Willamette whittled it down from a game-most 14 with 11:48 remaining four with 1:39 to go. 

The stretch was fueled by a 6-0 mini run over a 90-second span with under three minutes to go. Cedric Coward, who finished with a game-high 25 points for Willamette, had three during the streak, and Jack Boydell added one of his two threes.

Lewis & Clark used a layup from Tyler McFarland, a free throw by Cibull and Henderson's dunk to close out the game. Henderson had 16 of his 19 in the second half on 6 of 10 shooting.

Deeper Look

• Patrick scored 13 of his 19 and made 6 of 7 from the floor in the first half
• Sam Henderson scored 15 first-half points as the Pios built a 44-39 halftime lead
• 3-point shooting was significant as Willamette made 7 of 13 in the second half, but Lewis & Clark missed all 11 attempts over the same span
• Cibull hit two first-half 3-pointers and matched the game high with five assists
• Lewis & Clark was without Jalen Lowery for the game
• McFarland made his first start for the Pios

Looking Ahead

The Pioneers (9-12, 3-10 NWC) host Pacific on Saturday night. Lewis & Clark's seniors will be recognized prior to the start of the game.