From University of Chicago Athletics
The No. 17-ranked University of Chicago men's basketball team made key free throws at the end of the game and halted a Pacific Lutheran University comeback to earn a 62-58 win on Friday.
The Maroons improved to 3-2 and dealt the Lutes (3-1) their first loss of the season.
The home team grabbed the early advantage and went ahead 13-4 five minutes into the game. Sophomore guard Jake Fenlon stroked two three-pointers and layups from forwards Collin Barthel and Nate Brooks eventually tied the score at 17-17. A three-pointer by junior forward Waller Perez gave UChicago its first lead at 21-19, and the Maroons went into halftime with a 31-26 edge in hand.
A 9-0 run in the second half put UChicago up 42-33. Two more treys from Fenlon made it 52-44 midway through the period. The Lutes, however, kept within striking distance and whittled the deficit down to one point at 57-56 with just two minutes left in regulation.
Pacific Lutheran missed a layup in close with one minute remaining, and senior guard Jordan Smith converted two free throws on the other end of the floor. The Lutes made two free throws of their own to make the score 59-58 with UChicago holding the ball with 35 seconds left. Perez made a move to the basket with 16 seconds remaining and was fouled. He then made both free throws to put his team back ahead by three points. The hosts missed a three-pointer on the next possession, and junior guard Tyler Howard made one free throw to clinch the win at 62-58.
Fenlon swished four of the team's eight treys in the game en route to 12 points off the bench in only 14 minutes played. Perez led the Maroons in scoring with 15 points and tallied six rebounds. Barthel grabbed 10 rebounds and added seven points.
UChicago Team Stats & Leaders
Field-goal Percentage – 38.9 percent (21-54)
Three-point Percentage – 34.8 percent (8-23)
Free-throw Percentage – 57.1 percent (12-21)
Waller Perez (Forward, Jr.) – 15 points, 6 rebounds
Jake Fenlon (Guard, So.) – 12 points
Collin Barthel (Forward, So.) – 7 points, 10 rebounds