Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Top-ranked Whitworth men work overtime to edge Willamette

SALEM, Ore. – Kenny Love made a pair of free throws with 35 seconds left in the fourth quarter Friday and the top-ranked Whitworth men opened the overtime period on a 5-0 run and escaped with an 81-77 Northwest Conference win over Willamette.

The Bearcats (4-10, 1-4) held the Pirates to 29-percent shooting (9 of 31) in the first half and took their largest lead, 37-28, with just more than a minute left before halftime.

Whitworth (14-0, 5-0) fought back and tied it at 49 midway through the second half. Kyle Roach had a chance to win it for the Pirates at the fourth-quarter buzzer, but his running 3-pointer was off the mark. Whitworth never trailed in overtime.

Christian Jurlina led the Pirates with 21 points and nine rebounds and George Valle added 20, including 19 after halftime, and nine rebounds. Love finished with 14 points and four assists.

Whitworth plays at George Fox on Saturday.