Pecht’s hot hand carries Whitworth
Lance Pecht poured in a game-high 38 points – 15 of them coming in the first 6 minutes of the game – and the Whitworth Pirates rallied in the second half to turn back the Lewis & Clark Pioneers 78-70 on Saturday in Northwest Conference men’s basketball action in Portland.
Pecht helped the Pirates (15-6, 9-3) build an early 10-point lead, but the Pioneers (10-11, 6-7) pulled within 38-34 at the half on a pair of 3-pointers from freshman David Berggren.
Lewis & Clark opened the second half with a barrage of 3-pointers to move out to a 50-41 lead, but the Whits battled back. A pair of free throws by Pecht knotted the score at 58 with just more than 4 minutes remaining in the game. Late baskets by Bryan Williams and Pecht helped seal the victory.
George Tucker finished with a double-double – 14 points, 10 rebounds – for Whitworth. Pecht buried 13 of 17 shots from the floor for the game, including a 4-of-4 effort from long range.
Ryan Wells topped the Pioneers with 25 points.
Jordan Hammond tossed in a game-high 29 points, Erik Bell scored 21 and Jeremy Mangum handed out 13 assists as the Community Colleges of Spokane Sasquatch (17-5, 6-2) breezed to a 96-68 victory over the Yakima Valley Yaks (9-12, 4-4) in Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges play at Spokane Community College.
Ben Mitchell grabbed a game-high eight rebounds for the Sasquatch and finished with 12 points.
WaLynn Burgess topped the Yaks with 18 points.
The Sasquatch entered the game tied for first place with Big Bend.
Frank Clair totaled game highs of 18 points and 15 rebounds to lead the North Idaho Cardinals (19-5, 9-3) to a 64-52 victory over the Snow College Badgers (6-17, 4-8) in Scenic West Athletic Conference action in Coeur d’Alene.
Mac Hopson added 16 points for the Cardinals.
Geoff Payne scored 14 to pace the Badgers.