Jan. 18, 2008

Pacific Lutheran’s Late Rally Falls Short as Whitworth Prevails, 66-62

Box Score

Josh Dressler - 17 points

PARKLAND, Wash. – Whitworth built an 11-point lead with just under three minutes to play, then held off a flurry of three-point baskets by Pacific Lutheran to defeat the host Lutes, 66-62, in a Northwest Conference men’s basketball game played Friday night in Olson Auditorium.

The Pirates (10-3 overall, 4-1 in conference) went ahead 58-47 when Colin Willemsen hit a pair of free throws with 2:51 remaining in the game. The two points were a string of 12 consecutive Whitworth points scored by Willemsen with the game on the line, and the Pirates needed all of the senior forward’s points as the Lutes (7-6 overall, 3-2 in conference) put on a furious rally.

Josh Dressler and Jared Brandeberry hit back-to-back three-point field goals to whittle the Lutes’ deficit to 57-53, and another long trey by Brandeberry with 18 seconds remaining pulled PLU to within two points at 62-60.

Whitworth was up to the task, however, icing the game by making a total of six free throws in the final 32 seconds of the game, including back-to-back makes by both Ryan Symes and Ross Nakamura. The latter’s charity tosses with 16 seconds remaining negated a late rebound layup by PLU’s Tommy Begalka and wrapped up the scoring.

In the first half, the Lutes led 12-6 after a Brandeberry three-point bucket at the 12:44 mark, but Whitworth outscored PLU 27-6 over the next 10 minutes to take a 33-18 lead. The Lutes managed to cut their deficit to 35-27 at the half as Norman Edward, Jr. scored twice, including a thunderous follow dunk, and assisted on Landon Heidenreich's half-ending trey.

Willemsen led four Whitworth players in double figures with 18 points, and he also grabbed six rebounds. David Riley, a smooth-shooting freshman, knocked down 5-of-8 three-point attempts and finished with 16, and Symes also added 16 points, nine of which came at the foul stripe. Nakamura added 10 points and seven assists for the Pirates, who also got a team-high eight rebounds from Riley.

For the Lutes, Josh Dressler finished the game with 17 points while Brandeberry ended up with 14 and Scott McDaniels added 11.

Both teams return to action at 6 p.m. Saturday, the Lutes hosting Whitman and the Pirates traveling across Tacoma to take on the Puget Sound Loggers.

- PLU -