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

Christian Jurlina scores 19 points and Whitworth holds off Puget Sound

From staff reports

Christian Jurlina scored 19 points and Whitworth topped Puget Sound 69-62 on Saturday in Tacoma, to clinch a home game in the upcoming Northwest Conference men’s basketball tournament.

Whitworth had to work hard to hold off the Loggers after building a 15-point lead with less than ten minutes to play. Puget Sound was fighting for its NWC tournament life and needed a win to stay alive for the fourth and final conference playoff spot.

Jurlina went 5 of 11 from the field and 8 of 8 at the line. Kyle Roach added 15 points with nine rebounds, while Derek Isaak added 10 points. Kenny Love and Drew Sears grabbed 11 rebounds apiece as the Pirates (20-3, 11-3) held a 47-35 advantage on the boards.

Easton Driessen led Puget Sound (12-11, 5-9) off the bench with 20 points. Carlos Mancasola had 11 points and Andre Lewis added 10.

Ben College’s 3-pointer with 9:09 left put Whitworth up 51-36. Puget Sound then went on a 9-0 run and continued to chip away.

Mancasola drilled a 3-pointer with 26 seconds left to draw Puget Sound within three, but Love and Jurlina both hit a pair from the line to seal it.