Pirates Win Snake River Shootout

Ryan Nelson and Tyler Jordan led Whitworth College on a 18-4 surge to open the second half Sunday, helping the Pirates earn a 79-66 men’s basketball victory over host Lewis-Clark State in the championship game of the Snake River Shootout.

Nelson, who finished with 17 points, and Jordan, who had 16, collected 16 of their total during the run that allowed Whitworth to pull away from a 28-28 halftime tie. Greg Jones added 15 points and pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds for the Pirates, who improved their record to 2-0.

Whitworth opened its season Saturday by defeating Eastern Oregon.

Coach Warren Friedrichs, beginning his 14th year with a veteran club, sounded encouraged.

“Overall, it’s a great start to the season,” Friedrichs said. “Our defense was excellent, they shot only 38 percent and we gave up 66 points both nights. On offense, we showed really nice balance.”

It was Phil Ruebel who broke the halftime tie with a basket underneath. However, Nelson followed with a 22-footer from the baseline, Jordan completed a three-point play then scored again on a drive before Nelson nailed a second 3-pointer. When Jordan, who also contributed six assists, drove the lane for another basket, it was 43-29.

LC State’s Matt Haman stemmed the tide with a 3-point hoop of his own but Nelson landed another one to make it 46-32 with 15:10 to play.

Whitworth 79, Lewis-Clark State 66

Whitworth (2-0) - Ramey 0-1 0-0 0, Schulz 3-4 2-4 8, Nakanishi 2-5 0-0 4, Nelson 6-13 0-0 17, Sullivan 0-0 0-0 0, McDaniel 3-8 7-8 13, Jordan 6-8 3-4 16, Jones 6-11 3-5 15, Ruebel 3-4 0-0 6. Totals 29-54 15-21 79.

Lewis-Clark State (1-1) - Olson 8-13 1-3 20, Gardner 0-4 0-0 0, Brager 2-6 1-1 5, Phillips 0-0 0-0 0, Horner 1-4 0-0 3, Harrison 6-16 12-13 24, Haman 1-3 0-0 3, Hoover 0-1 0-0 0, George 3-10 1-2 7, Wilson 1-1 2-2 4. Totals 22-58 17-21 66.

Halftime - Whitworth 28, Lewis-Clark State 28. 3-point goals - Whitworth 6-14 (Nelson 5-9, Jordan 1-2, Ramey 0-1, Jones 0-1, Ruebel 0-1). Lewis-Clark State 5-17 (Olson 3-5, Horner 1-3, Haman 1-3, Gardner 0-1, Hoover 0-1, Brager 0-2, Harrison 0-2). Fouled out - Whitworth, Schulz. Lewis-Clark State, Olson . Rebounds - Whitworth 30 (Jones 10), Lewis-Clark State 33 (Harrison 7, George 7). Assists - Whitworth 18 (Jordan 6), Lewis-Clark State 11 (Harrison 3). Total fouls - Whitworth 18, Lewis-Clark State 18. Technicals - Lewis-Clark State, Olson . A - 1,050.