Beaks Easily Handle SW Oregon 78-65

BY DYLAN HERSHA

ALBANY, Ore. — Linn-Benton men's basketball ran away with a big win against the Southwestern Oregon Community College Lakers on Wednesday Feb. 7, 2024. 

Linn-Benton came out on top 78-65. The Roadrunners' record improved to 10-9 overall and 4-3 in conference. SWOCC's record moved to 18-6, 7-4.

The game went back and forth for the majority of the first half until LB sophomore guard Davion Burdette hit a monster three-pointer giving LB a 26-24 lead with 6:50 left in the first half. 

From that point Burdette led the charge with 17 points and shooting 6-7 from the field in the first half to give the Roadrunners a 45-34 lead at halftime. 

The Roadrunners also outrebounded SWOCC 18-13 in the first half, Freshman Liam Spencer and Sophomore TJ Zimmermann collected 4 each in the half. 

Linn-Benton came out of the half with their foot still on the pedal. The Beaks never let SWOCC within 10 points for the rest of the game. The second half was more dominant, this time with Zimmermann at the helm, collecting 17 points, adding to his 8 from the first half.

Burdette went on to shoot 8-9 from the field and 3-4 from three totaling 24 points on the night for him. LB freshman Cade Smith had 16 points of his own along with 2 blocks and 6 rebounds. 

TJ Zimmermann picked up his 11th double-double of the season with a total 25 points and 11 rebounds, Zimmermann also combined with Sophomore Bennet Bos for 6 of the teams 7 steals. 

The Roadrunners will play again on Saturday Feb. 10 at home against Mt. Hood Community College in the Linn-Benton Activities Center at 4:00 p.m.

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