Whitworth men dispose of PLU behind 29 points from Ben College

Ben College scored 29 points, 21 after halftime, to lead visiting Whitworth to an 88-70 win at Pacific Lutheran on Saturday night at Olson Auditorium in Parkland, Washington.

Jared Christy added a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds for the 13th-ranked Pirates, who improved to 7-0 overall and 2-0 in the NWC. The Lutes dropped to 3-4, 0-2.

Whitworth led for most of the game and took its largest lead of the first half when Ben Bishop scored a layup off of an offensive rebound to increase the margin to 33-21. But PLU was able to pull back to within 39-32 at the break. Both teams struggled offensively in the first half and shot below 40 percent.

Whitworth built a 61-46 lead on a College jumper just over nine minutes into the second half before the Lutes cut the margin to 63-55 on a pair of Shay Curcuruto free throws two minutes later. PLU was still within 68-60 when Jordan Lester and College hit back-to-back three-pointers and the Pirates held a double-digit lead the rest of the way. Whitworth eventually led by 20 points in the final minute.

“The game had more flow in the second half, we created tempo with some defensive stops and we passed the ball better,” said coach Matt Logie in reference to the Pirates stronger second 20 minutes. “We also hit the offensive glass well.”

College finished the game 11 of 18 from the floor, 6 of 11 from 3-point distance.

“Ben is one of the best shooters in the country and a guy who has put the work in to create shots and our guys are doing a nice job of finding him,” Logie said.

Whitworth dominated the rebounding battle, finishing with a 47-26 edge. Christy’s 13 rebounds are the most by a Pirate this season.

Bishop was the only other Whitworth player in double figures, scoring 10 points. Kyle Roach added seven points, seven rebounds and five assists.

Dylan Foreman scored 16 points to lead PLU.

Whitworth will return home to host Colorado College on Dec. 10.

Whatcom 100, CC Spokane 85: Trazil Lane scored 27 points and Alex Martin 21 as Whatcom (3-3) defeated the Sasquatch (3-1) at the Big Foot Invitational at Spokane Community College.

Cesar Sandoval scored 20 points to lead five players in double figures for the Sasquatch, who 44-40 at halftime but allowed 60 points in the second half.

JR Delgado scored 12 points, Edgar Najera 11, George Pilimai 10 and Isaiah Gotell 10 for CCS.

CCS plays Okanogan at 2 p.m. on Sunday, also at Spokane Community College.

North Idaho 86, Edmonds 81: Rayquan Evan led the way with 23 points and 11 rebounds and the Cardinals defeated Edmonds at the Everett Community College Tournament in Everett, Washington.

Iaian McLaughlin scored 19 points off the bench, Tyler Brimhall scored 16 and Jalen Burkett added 10 for the Cardinals.

North Idaho plays Everett on Sunday at 6 p.m.

Women’s basketball

Whitworth 76, Pacific Lutheran 54: The Pirates (4-2, 1-1 NWC) used a strong second quarter and a balanced offensive attack to defeat the Lutes (1-5, 0-2) in Parkland, Washington.

Camy Aguinaldo led Whitworth with 15 points and 10 assists, one of two double-doubles for the Pirates. Madison Moffat had the other with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Grace Douglas, Alli Kieckbusch, and Lexi Tinney each finished with 10 points for Whitworth. Madison Salisbury led the Lutes with 12.

North Idaho 91, Highline 67: The Cardinals built a big first-half lead and went on to defeat Highline at the Bellevue College Classic.

NIC led 40-24 at halftime and extended its lead in the third and fourth quarters. The Cardinals will play Umpqua at 11 a.m. on Sunday in a tournament finale.

Ronnie Harris led NIC with 18 points and Sydney Hovde was the top rebounder with 12 to go with her 16 points. Cierra Dvorak had 16 points and Whitney Meir 12 for the Cardinals.