Tucker, Pecht save Pirates

The Whitworth College Pirates knew who had to have the ball in their hands in the final minute of their 69-66 Northwest Conference playoff win over visiting Willamette on Thursday night.

Their senior leaders, NWC Most Valuable Player Lance Pecht and second-teamer George Tucker, were the obvious choices.

With 45 seconds left and the Pirates clinging to a 65-63 lead against a team they defeated twice in the regular season, Whitworth coach Jim Hayford called timeout – and got the ball in Pecht’s hands.

“When you’re playing what could be your final game of your college career,” Hayford said, “that’s more important than anything.”

Pecht, who led both teams with 23 points and eight rebounds, was fouled and sank both free throws.

Josh Erickson of the Bearcats (17-8) missed a 3-pointer just 20 seconds later. The ball took what Tucker referred to as “a weird bounce,” and ended up in Tucker’s hands. He was fouled and hit both free throws.

The 69-63 lead was just good enough. In the final 20 seconds, Willamette senior John Olinger nailed a 25-footer (part of his team-high 22 points), the Pirates ran clock but missed the front end of a one-and-one, and the Bearcats’ last play went awry with 2 seconds left.

“Anytime you get down to the end of the game, Tuck and I want the ball in our hands,” Pecht said. “We’re the senior leaders. We need to have the ball.”

“When you have two well-coached teams like these – them more than us – it’s a real gut check,” Hayford said. “We were fortunate to get the big rebounds down the stretch.”

The Pirates (20-6, with 11 consecutive wins) earned the chance to play before the 1,205 in the Fieldhouse – where they are undefeated this year – by virtue of the two wins over the Bearcats. The two teams tied in the regular season at 13-3.

“Playing at home was the difference,” Hayford said. “Absolutely, it was the difference.”

“The fan support was awesome,” said Tucker, who finished with 20 points. “At the end there, it was so loud. Last year it was the same thing with them. It was so loud that their last play then they threw the ball away, just like tonight.”

Those fans included Gonzaga star Adam Morrison, watching former Mead High teammate Bryan Williams run the point for the Pirates.

Williams, an honorable mention all-conference selection, had seven assists and just one turnover in 39 minutes.

Now the Pirates will travel, facing NWC champion Puget Sound on Saturday in Tacoma.

The teams split in the regular season, with the Loggers winning at home by one.

“Every time we play them it’s a game of runs,” Pecht said. “We just have to keep our composure and handle their pressure.”

Sounds like the game will be in the seniors’ hands.