TACOMA, Wash. - Shooting 66% from the field, the Linfield Wildcats didn't give the Puget Sound Loggers much chance at the upset, collecting an 87-75 victory in a Northwest Conference men's basketball game on Saturday evening in Tacoma, Wash.

The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead, scoring the games first seven points but the Loggers didn't give up that easily.  Puget Sound used an 8-0 run to take a three-point lead with 12:04 left in the first period.  Linfield quickly took the wind out of the Loggers' sail in the final 3:33 of the half, closing the period on a 12-0 run to take a 44-36 halftime lead.

In the second half, the Loggers matched the 'Cats early but Linfield was able to push the lead in double-digits with 14:37 left to play and pushed the lead to as many as 15 points with 11:55 left to go.  The Loggers found a way to chip at Linfield's lead, going on an 11-2 run to get within six points with 9:09 left to go.  That would be as close at the maroon and white would get as Linfield pulled away again at the end to collect the victory 87-75.

Puget Sound was led by 22 points from senior Austin Boyce (Kent, Wash./Kentwood), who also added five rebounds.  Sophomore Kaleb Shelton (Tacoma, Wash./Lincoln) added 17 points in the victory.  The Loggers forced 23 turnovers on the night but it wasn't enough to get the upset.

Linfield was led by 27 points each from Job Weber and K.C. Wiser.  Kris Rainwater added 12 points before fouling out midway through the second half.  The Wildcats shot 31-of-47 from the field for 66%, the highest percentage by a Logger opponent this season.

The Loggers hit the road next week, traveling to Parkland on Tuesday night for a match-up with rival Pacific Lutheran.  Tip with the Lutes is set for 8:00 p.m. at Olson Auditorium on the PLU campus.