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Jan. 13, 2007
Whitworth Dominates Inside, Stops Lutes,
80-56
Game Statistics
SPOKANE, Wash. - Whitworth shot 57 percent from the field and dominated
in rebounding on the way to an 80-56 Northwest Conference men's
basketball victory over Pacific Lutheran on Saturday night.
Whitworth forwards Ryan Symes and Colin Willemsen, along with center
Kevin Hasenfus, combined for 52 of the Pirates' points. The trio
made 21 of their 32 shots from the floor and grabbed 23 rebounds,
leading Whitworth to a 36-20 advantage in that category. Hasenfus
finished with a double-double of 14 points and 13 boards, while
Symes scored 23 for the second straight night. Willemsen added 15
points and seven rebounds. Pirate point guard Bryan Williams, who
leads NCAA Division III in assists, dished eight tonight to go along
with eight points.
Josh Dressler did his best to keep the Lutes in the game with 19
points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 3-of-6 from beyond the three-point
arc. Jared Brandeberry added 10 points and a team-high five rebounds.
The Pirates, who lead the nation in field goal percentage, shot
60 percent (15-of-25) in the second half as they steadily pulled
away from the Lutes behind their three big men.
After the Lutes opened a 19-14 lead on a three pointer by Gabe
Smith with 11:27 to go in the first half, Whitworth went on a 21-4
run to grab a 36-23 advantage with six minutes to go in the half.
Symes and Hasenfus combined for 15 of the points. The Pirates eventually
took a 41-30 lead to the locker room.
PLU got within 45-39 after a three pointer by Brandeberry almost
four minutes into the second half, but Willemsen scored inside to
key a quick 6-0 run. PLU was still within 59-50 with 10:23 to play
before Whitworth closed the game on a 21-6 scoring run. Symes, Willemsen
and Hasenfus combined for nine straight points to put the Bucs ahead
68-50 with 5:22 to go.
Whitworth improved to 14-1 overall and 5-1 in the NWC, remaining
tied with Puget Sound for first place in the conference standings.
Pacific Lutheran fell to 6-7 and 3-3 after splitting its Eastern
Washington road trip.
- PLU -
(Courtesy Whitworth Sports Information Office)
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