Jurich lifts Whitworth to win

Calvin Jurich had a triple-double with 16 points and career highs of 14 rebounds and 10 assists and the 19th-ranked Whitworth Pirates opened the Northwest Conference portion of their schedule with a 94-60 rout of the George Fox Bruins Friday night at the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

Jurich’s feat was the first for the school in at least 13 seasons. Complete historical data was not available.

“Calvin is a very solid player and his performance tonight is a direct result of the great work ethic he brings every day,” Whitworth coach Jim Hayford said.

Nate Montgomery chipped in a team-high 19 points – all in the first half – while Bo Gregg added 15 and David Riley 10 for the Pirates (9-1, 1-0).

Montgomery hit 8 of 17 from the floor with two 3-pointers, pulled down five rebounds and had two steals.

Alex Stockner scored 14, Evan Atwater 11 and Grant Vahalla 10 for the Bruins (4-6, 0-1).

After Stockner hit a pair of free throws to pull George Fox within 20-16 with 11 minutes left in the first half, Jurich and Montgomery combined to score the next 23 points for Whitworth as it increased its lead to 43-28 with 1:30 to play in the half.

Riley and Clay Gebbers hit consecutive 3-pointers to close out the half with Whitworth leading 49-28.

Gregg made five of Whitworth’s 16 3-pointers (25 attempts), including two early in the second half – off Jurich assists – helping the Pirates extend their lead to 61-31.

The 16 3-pointers were one short of the school record, set during the 1996 NAIA Division II national tournament against Howard Payne.

The Pirates enjoyed a 43-33 rebounding advantage, led by Jurich and Felix Friedt, who collected six rebounds – four on the offensive end – in 10 minutes off the bench.

Ross Nakamura and Gebbers contributed four assists apiece for the Pirates.

The Pirates host Pacific tonight at the Fieldhouse while George Fox travels to Walla Walla to play Whitman.