by By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
SALEM, Ore. — The Willamette University men’s basketball team set a school record by making 23 three-point baskets, and Alec Barba (So., W, Dallas, OR/Central HS) came close to tying the school record for individual three-point baskets in a game, as the Bearcats rolled past Northwest Indian College, 126-60, on Saturday, Jan. 12 at Cone Field House.
Barba finished with a game-high 24 points, while connecting on 8 of 14 three-point shots. The Willamette individual single game record of nine 3-pointers was set by Nik Lubisich two times during the 2000-01 season. Barba became the fifth Willamette player to earn eight 3-pointers in a game. The previous team high for 3-pointers was set at 15 against Concordia University (Texas) earlier this season on Nov. 16. Prior to that game, the school record was 13 in numerous games.
Willamette placed five players in double figures on Saturday — all off the bench — as 12 Bearcats contributed to the score. The 126 points is the third-highest in Willamette history, trailing only 137 scored at University of Puget Sound on Dec. 1, 2006 and 127 versus Concordia University (Ore.) on Dec. 13, 1985.
Barba’s 24 points were closely followed by the contributions of Justus Eaglesmith (Shawnee/Creek/Choctaw), who scored 23 points and hit 6 of 7 three-point attempts. Dylan Streett (Fr., G, Santa Barbara, CA/Bishop Diego HS) tacked on 11 points, while Ben Sutton (So., F, Seattle, WA/Ingraham HS) and Will Huntington (So., P, Oakland, CA/Bishop O’Dowd HS) each scored 10 points. Barba, Eaglesmith and Streett each set a career high for scoring. Sutton and Huntington set career highs of 18 points and 13 points, respectively, in last year’s 103-74 win against Northwest Indian on Dec. 10, 2017.
Our son scoring a career high 23 pts. in 11 minutes is outstanding.
As the only Native player on his team, he shared that he was impressed with the conduct and honor of the All-Native Northwest Indian College squad, who trailed throughout a 123-60 defeat, but did not give up like that. Justus shared that throughout and after the game shared “Native Pride!”
Honor & Respect to all—Ah-ho
That’s awesome Justice, keep it up. Proud of you.