Feb. 15, 2008

Whitworth Holds Off PLU Challenge, 76-66

Box Score

Josh Dressler - 22 points

SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth University reverted to form to defeat visiting Pacific Lutheran University, 76-66, in a Northwest Conference men's basketball game on Friday night, ending a three-game losing streak and setting up a first-place showdown in the NWC for Saturday.

The Pirates (16-6 overall, 9-4 NWC), who have lead the NWC in scoring defense, opponent shooting percentage and rebound margin all season but struggled in all three areas during the previous three-game losing streak, regained their form on Friday.

Whitworth held PLU (10-11, 6-7) to 17 points below their scoring average (83), to 37 percent (21-for-57) shooting from the floor, and outrebounded the Lutes 42-28.

After the teams traded leads several times over the first 11 minutes, Scott McDaniels put Pacific Lutheran back in front, 16-14, with 9:02 to play in the first half. It was the last lead of the game for the Lutes as Whitworth went on a 10-0 run, including two baskets each by Calvin Jurich and Ryan Symes, to take a 24-16 lead. However, Josh Dressler answered with a three-pointer to pull PLU within 24-19 and the Lutes kept the game close the rest of the half. Whitworth had a 34-28 lead at the break.

Landon Heidenreich's three-pointer pulled PLU within 51-46 with 11 minutes to play in the game, but Whitworth answered with an 8-2 run to take a 59-48 advantage with just under seven minutes left. The Pirates eventually stretched the lead to 73-58 with 2:47 left on a reverse lay up by Tim Sellereit.

Dressler led all players with 22 points for PLU. Gabe Smith was the only other Lute in double figures in scoring with 10 points. McDaniels finished with nine points and nine rebounds. The Lutes were able to keep the game close most of the way by making 10 three-point shots.

Symes scored 18 points to lead the Pirates and Colin Willemsen posted his NWC-leading ninth double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds. He also added a game-high six assists. Jurich scored a career-high 14 points for the Pirates. Whitworth finished the game making 52 percent (30-for-58) of their field goal attempts.

(Courtesy of Whitworth Sports Information Office.)