UPS downs Whitworth

Robert Krauel had 19 points and Jason Foster just missed a triple-double with 16 points, 14 rebounds and nine blocked shots and the Puget Sound Loggers clinched the Northwest Conference title with an 81-71 men’s basketball victory over the Whitworth Pirates Friday night at Tacoma.

Puget Sound clinched the title when Linfield posted a road win over Lewis & Clark.

Antwan Williams added 10 points for Puget Sound (20-2, 13-0).

Tim Sellereit had 19 points, Calvin Jurich 17, Nate Montgomery 14, and David Riley 12 for Whitworth (17-5, 9-4).

Montgomery also had nine rebounds while Ross Nakamura had four assists and two steals.

The Loggers took control of the game from long range, making 12 of 27 3-point field goals. Whitworth was just 4-of-19 shooting from behind the arc.

The Loggers used a 14-0 run in the first half to take a 32-18 lead with 6:27 left. The Pirates trimmed the lead a bit, but trailed 38-27 at the half.

The Loggers stretched the lead to 14 again in the second half with 15:10 to play, but once again the Whits fought back. They got within five points with 8:16 to play and four points with 3:34 left, but the Loggers didn’t let the Pirates get any closer.

Blue Mountain 68, CC Spokane 65: Jamar Ransome had 18 points and seven rebounds to lead the Timberwolves (12-12, 6-4) to an upset victory over the Sasquatch (16-5, 8-2) in Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges play at Pendleton, Ore.

Khabir Muhammad added 17 points and six assists for Blue Mountain. Treavone Bowie scored 13 points.

Damal Neil led all scorers with 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting and also pulled down six rebounds for CC Spokane. Brad Johnson scored 10 points.

North Idaho 69, Eastern Utah 67: The Cardinals (22-3, 7-3) held off the Golden Eagles (19-5, 5-5) in Scenic West Athletic Conference play at Post Falls High School.

The teams play again today at Post Falls High School. Tipoff is 5 p.m.