Willamette Turns Back Whitworth

Willamette University shook off Whitworth in the final 80 seconds Wednesday night to record a 70-64 victory in a first-round Northwest Conference men’s basketball tournament game.

Willamette (18-10) advances to meet Lewis & Clark, a 91-68 victor over Whitman, at Portland on Saturday night. Whitworth (18-10), nationally ranked most of the season, is left hoping for one of nine atlarge berths in the NAIA national tournament. Selections will be announced one week from today.

Whitworth led through most of the first half. However, Willamette pulled off a rare five-point play to break a 32-32 tie just before intermission and led 37-34 at the half.

The teams traded the lead throughout the second half. With the score knotted 61-61 with 1:20 to play, Willamette’s R.J. Adelman made two free throws, and the Bearcats did not trail again.

Willamette 70, Whitworth 64

WHITWORTH Stern 2-7 2-2 8, Arkills 1-1 1-1 3, Wickers 7-17 2-2 19, Vargas 0-1 0-1 0, Beckman 0-3 0-0 0, Wright 6-13 6-9 18, Jones 0-0 0-0 0, Palmer 0-4 0-0 0, Dunham 6-10 4-6 16. Totals - 22-56 15-21 64.Memo: 1993-94Greg Stern, Chad McGuire, John Adams, Chad Reeves, Jason Hull, Jason Gillam, Jeff Arkills, John Beckman, Kevin Wright, Gabe Jones, James Klassen, Jeff Palmer, Nate Dunham.

WILLAMETTE Hayter 0-2 1-2 1, Snyder 9-16 4-6 27, Adelman 2-11 4-4 10, Hakala 2-8 2-4 6, Thompson 5-10 0-0 10, Richards 0-0 0-0 0, Scanlan 4-10 2-3 10, Thirdgill 2-6 2-5 6. Totals - 24-63 15-24 70.

Halftime - Willamette 37, Whitworth 34. 3-point goals - Whitworth 5-15 (Stern 2-4, Wickers 3-7, Vargas 0-1, Beckman 0-1, Palmer 0-2). Willamette 7-23 (Hayter 0-1, Snyder 5-10, Adelman 2-8, Thompson 0-3, Scanlan 0-1). Rebounds - Whitworth 37 (Wright 8), Willamette 39 (Hakala 8). Assists - Whitworth 14 (Stern 5), Willamette 15 (Hakala, Scanlan 4). Total fouls - Whitworth 22, Willamette 15. Fouled out - none. Technicals - none. Attendance - 1000.