Tenth-ranked Whitworth men win eighth straight

Idris Lasisi scored a career-high 27 points and the 10th-ranked Whitworth men’s basketball team beat Whitman 81-74 in a Northwest Conference game Tuesday night in Walla Walla.

The Pirates have won eight straight and 14 of their past 15, losing at home to Whitman.

Lasisi shot 10 of 16 from the field – including 3 of 8 from beyond the arc – and added five assists for Whitworth, which had already secured the conference title Saturday.

Dustin McConnell had 14 points and Wade Gebbers added 11 for the Pirates.

David Michaels scored 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Missionaries.

Whitworth improved to 21-3 overall and 14-1 in the Northwest Conference. Whitman fell to 17-7 and 10-5.

The Pirates play their final game of the regular season Saturday at home against Willamette.

Women

Whitworth’s long-shot hopes of reaching the Northwest Conference tournament were crushed after falling 71-52 to Whitman in Walla Walla.

Jenele Peterson scored 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting to lead the Missionaries, who led by 16 points at the half.

Lexie Belcher had 11 points and seven rebounds and Lauren Picha added 10 points for Whitworth.

The Pirates needed to win their final two conference games for a chance of making the conference tournament.

Whitworth fell to 10-14 overall and 6-9 in the NWC. Whitman improved to 15-9 and 11-4. The Pirates wrap up conference play at home against Willamette on Saturday.

• Belcher was named the NWC Student-Athlete of the Week for the week of Feb. 6-12.

Belcher scored a career-high 33 points in Whitworth’s win over Linfield on Friday and followed with 23 points against Pacific on Saturday.