Box Score

By Ben Zimmerman

WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- There was a subtle seismology at work in Sherwood Center Friday, a lesser tremor blended amid Whitman's explosive scoring runs, spurts of thievery and palpable defensive intensity during a 78-69 victory over Pacific.

Senior center Ben Eisenhardt, the Northwest Conference's reigning Most Valuable Player and a third-team All-American last season, returned to the court following a 15-game injury hiatus, joining a surging team that had already won seven of its last nine games.

That's enough to make the rest of the conference shudder.

"Any time we got in trouble last year, we went to Ben," Whitman coach Eric Bridgeland said. "He got back in town on Thursday night and he played tonight. I'm so happy for him."

Eisenhardt missed a month of practice with a concussion, then played in the season opener against Old Westbury on Nov. 19 before suffering another. The 6-foot-8 center came off the bench against Pacific and scored 17 points in 16 minutes. Eisenhardt made 6 of 7 field goals, 5 of 6 free throws, grabbed two rebounds and had just one turnover.

Imagine when he's 100 percent.

"Concussion-wise, I felt good," Eisenhardt said. "Cardio-wise, I'm still working my way back. Basketball-wise, it's all about getting my rhythm back.

"Honestly, I want to change as little as possible. We've been playing great ball. I just want to get in line, not get in the way."

Eisenhardt fit right in on Friday, providing a sturdy low-post complement to the slashing of Tochi Oti, who matched his season-high with 22 points, and shooting of Matt Mounier (14 points).

"I'm very excited for him," Oti said of Eisenhardt. "I know that he's been anxious to get back on the court. He's just going to make it tougher for teams to guard the post. He'll open driving lanes, they'll have to double the ball more, and it will create room to shoot and lanes to dive."

Eisenhardt missed the first conference meeting between Pacific (11-7, 4-5) and Whitman on Jan. 4, when the Boxers won 66-65 to open Northwest Conference play.

It was a downer. The Missionaries went about their revenge with an impressive opening sequence Friday, opening leads of 21-12 and 32-18, only to see Pacific close the first half on a 14-2 run.

Whitman answered directly after the halftime recess, led by Mounier and Oti. Mounier, a 6-3 junior forward, outhustled several Pacific players for a defensive rebound in the backcourt and raced in for a layin to open the second half and set the tone. Then Oti scored consecutive buckets and Mounier tallied on the drive as the Missionaries stretched out to a 42-37 lead.

"We did a great job taking punches and responding," said Eisenhardt. "We were able to punch back when they made runs. That is growth, and a characteristic we need to have."

Whitman appeared to have Pacific on the ropes with the flurry that followed. The Missionaries forced turnovers on three straight Boxer possessions and cashed in handsomely after each, with 3-pointers by Dominic Lippi, Oti, and Oti again. That ballooned the lead to 51-39. Eisenhardt swished a baseline jumper and then scored in transition to make it 55-39. After Pacific converted a three-point play, Evan Martin hit two free throws and Mounier drained a 3.

"We had an energy and a swagger in the second half that we didn't have in the first," said Oti. "That was the difference. We also took care of the ball well and played good team defense. We made a lot of good rotations. That's when we're at our best."

The Boxers made four 3-pointers inside the final 5:08, but Whitman was 10 of 12 at the free throw line in that span and held on.

"It was a great collective effort, defensively," said Bridgeland. "To be able to separate in the second half against a good Pacific team is not easy to do. We extended and kept them at bay. That's a quality win over a very good team."

Martin, who has flourished at center during Eisenhardt's absence, continued his steady paint work Friday. He had seven points, seven rebounds and two assists. Six of his points came in the game's final 10, crucial minutes.

Oti was 8 for 11 from the field, 4 of 6 from beyond the 3-point arc and 2 for 2 at the line, and Clay Callahan had four of Whitman's 14 assists.

A familiar face was glad to be in uniform.

"I just want to help the guys get 'W's," Eisenhardt said.

"Ben showed tremendous poise for someone who hasn't been on the court in three months," Bridgeland said. "The thing is, he's such a great teammate. He does whatever the team needs.

"His parents have been at every game, and he hasn't even played. He's a chip off the old block."

Whitman faces Willamette at 8pm Saturday night in Sherwood Center.