Whitworth clinches title; No. 1 ranking next?

Jack Loofburrow hit 8 of his 12 3-point shots, tallying 31 points and seven rebounds to lead the shooting barrage for Whitworth (21-0, 12-0), as the Pirates hit 52.6 percent of their shots in an 85-59 victory over Northwest Conference foe Pacific Lutheran (12-8, 7-5) Saturday in Parkland, Wash. The Whitworth Pirates, ranked No. 2 in Division III, defeated Pacific Lutheran on Saturday and are poised to move into the top spot in the rankings next week after current No. 1 Wooster lost. Their victory, coupled with Lewis & Clark’s loss to George Fox, also clinched the conference title. Against the Lutes, Whitworth opened a 16-point halftime lead, holding PLU to just 25 points on 10 of 29 shooting. Loofburrow then took over for the Pirates in the second half, scoring 23 of his 31 points, with six of his eight 3-pointers coming after the break. Four players finished in double figures for the Pirates as David Riley added 21 points and seven rebounds and Felix Friedt followed up his 30-point night against Puget Sound with 14 points and five rebounds against the Lutes.