Whit Men Risk Their Streak; Women In Tough In Invite

The Whitworth College men’s basketball team will put its 22-game home winning streak to the test this weekend when it plays host to the Whitworth College Invitational.

It begins Friday at 6 p.m. when Concordia (Ore.) of the Cascade League plays Carroll (Mont.) of the Frontier Conference.

Whitworth (5-1) will take on Northwest College (9-5), an NAIA independent, at 8. The two met in the Snake River Shootout in Lewiston, with Whitworth winning 88-71.

The Pirate women (3-2) play host to a four-team field Saturday and Sunday.

“They (Northwest College) have a very good top six,” said Whitworth men’s coach Warren Friedrichs, whose team is ranked No. 23 in this week’s NAIA Division II poll.

The Eagles are led by Andy D’Agostino, a 6-foot junior guard, who scored 20 points against Whitworth at Lewiston. His brother, 5-10 Rich, plays the other guard position.

Whitworth senior guard Nate Williams (13.4 points per game) has been held back in practice this week because of a hamstring injury, but is expected to play Friday. Sophomore guard Tyler Jordan is hampered with lower back pain.

Concondia brings in 7-0 Jeff Ellis. The freshman from Adna probably is best remembered in Spokane for his junior prep year when the Pirates finished third at the State B Tournament. The Cavaliers are lead by Cris Swallom, a 6-4 junior, who played high school ball at Ferris, and 6-6 senior John Gardner of Yakima.

The team to beat in the women’s competition is Western Washington (2-1), ranked No. 8 in the NAIA Division I poll. The Vikings are led by freshman center Celeste Hill, averaging 19 points and six rebounds.

Whitworth’s Rebecca Moore is tossing in 17.3 points per game and Sherri Northington grabs 9.5 rebounds per game.

The Pirates open against Concordia (1-8) at 6 p.m. Western plays Carroll (5-6) at 4.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: WHITWORTH INVITATIONAL Friday Men: Concordia vs. Carroll, 6 p.m. Northwest College vs. Whitworth, 8 p.m.

Saturday Men: Consolation game, 2 p.m. Championship, 8 p.m. Women: Western vs. Carroll 4 p.m. Concordia vs. Whitworth, 6 p.m.

Sunday Women: Consolation game, 2 p.m. Championship, 4 p.m.