Whitman Whitm 7-8,2-4 NWC

George Fox GFU 1-14,0-6 NWC

Whitman Whitm

7-8,2-4 NWC

Final

Jan. 17, 2026

George Fox GFU

1-14,0-6 NWC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Whitman Whitm	49	44	93
George Fox GFU	52	36	88

Summary
Box Score

George Fox Athletics

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 1/17/2026 9:16:00 PM

Men's Basketball Drops Bruins In High-Scoring NWC Affair

NEWBERG, Ore. - Whitman College rode a career night from guard Ali Efe Isik to a 93-88 win over George Fox in a high-octane Northwest Conference matchup Saturday night at Wheeler Sports Center. The victory marked the Blues' second 90-plus-point outing of the conference slate and their third of the season.

Isik was nearly unstoppable, pouring in 37 points to lead all scorers and match his career high while repeatedly carving up the defense in the paint and at the foul line. He went 12-for-22 from the field and 13-for-17 at the stripe, scoring 23 of his points after halftime as Whitman turned a three-point deficit at the break into a statement road win. He also added five assists, consistently collapsing the defense and creating clean looks that helped the Blues shoot just under 50 percent from the floor as a team.

Whitman needed every bit of that production to track down a George Fox squad that came out blistering from deep, knocking down 10 first-half threes to build a 52-49 halftime lead. The Blues answered by tightening their perimeter defense and punishing the Bruins inside, finishing with 40 points in the paint and 26 second-chance points behind a 40-45 rebound battle that gradually tilted in their favor.

Forward Milos Sarenac posted a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double, while Marcel Elicagaray chipped in 16 points on five made threes to keep Whitman's offense balanced around Isik's downhill attack.

George Fox stayed within striking distance behind 22 points from Donovan Cooks and 18 from Noah Marte, who combined for nine made threes and set the tone early with transition buckets and ball-screen action.

But as the game wore on, the Bruins cooled to 32.4 percent shooting in the second half while Whitman's half-court execution sharpened, allowing the Blues to flip the lead for good in the final five minutes. Key defensive stops, coupled with Whitman's 22-for-32 night at the line, including clutch late free throws from Isik and Elicagaray, sealed the result in the closing seconds.

With the win, Whitman moves to 7-8 overall and 2-4 in Northwest Conference play, picking up valuable momentum with another explosive offensive performance. George Fox drops to 1-14 and 0-6 in league action despite the home team's potent perimeter shooting and 26 fast-break points.

The Blues return home next weekend for more NWC action when they host Pacific Lutheran on Friday, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

#GoWhitman

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