Whitman Whitm 6-7,1-3 NWC

Linfield Linf 3-7,1-1 NWC

Whitman Whitm

6-7,1-3 NWC

Final

Jan. 09, 2026

Linfield Linf

3-7,1-1 NWC

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
Whitman Whitm	26	36	62
Linfield Linf	30	35	65

Summary
Box Score

Tyler Smyth

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 1/9/2026 11:26:00 PM

Ali Efe Isik Goes For Season High, Blues Fall At The Buzzer

McMINNVILLE, Ore. - A trip to McMinnville turned into heartbreak, as the Whitman College men's basketball team fell 65-62 at Linfield on a buzzer beater three-pointer in Northwest Conference action Friday night.

Ali Efe Isik was spectacular in the loss, delivering a game- and season-high 29 points and tying the contest at 62-62 with a driving layup with 22 seconds to go before the Wildcats answered at the horn. Dayton Magana got his shot from well beyond the three point line to go and helped the Wildcats walk away with the win while also handing the Blues their third straight league defeat.

After trailing 30-26 at halftime, Whitman (6-7, 1-3 NWC) surged out of the locker room, shooting 58.3 percent in the second half and briefly grabbing a 40-38 lead, its first of the game, on a Ken Higgins layup as the momentum swung back and forth. Isik continued to attack the rim throughout the period, scoring 16 of the Blues' 36 second-half points and repeatedly keeping them within a possession.

Whitman's interior presence was a major factor, with Bernard Dzesi adding eight points and eight rebounds and helping the Blues to a 38-24 advantage in points in the paint. Higgins knocked down four threes on his way to 12 points, while Sarp Gokberk chipped in nine points and eight rebounds as Whitman edged Linfield 37-33 on the glass.

Ultimately, the difference came from beyond the arc, where Linfield went 11-for-25 compared to Whitman's 4-for-20, using perimeter shooting to offset the Blues' work inside. Magana finished with 15 points, the last coming on his decisive three from the wing.

Whitman returns to action next Friday, Jan. 16 when they visit Lewis & Clark for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff.

#GoWhitman

Print Friendly Version