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PORTLAND, Ore. -- (From Melissa Dudek, L&C SID) Lewis & Clark fell to visting Whitworth 78-70 at the Pamplin Sports Center Saturday evening as the Pirates stayed alive in the Northwest Conference title chase and ran their winning streak to six straight games.

Whitworth's Lance Pecht got the Pirate offense started, scoring 15 points of the Pirates' first 20 points in the first six minutes of the game. The Pirates' lead hovered near ten points for most of the first half, with the Pioneers incapable of mounting a decent run until back-to-back three-pointers by David Berggren in the final minute of the half pulled the Pioneers within four, 38-34, at the half. A three-pointer by Ryan Wells two minutes into the second half put the Pioneers within one. Wells also hit a three-pointer to tie the game 41-41 and another three to give the Pioneers a 44-41 advantage with 13 minutes remaining in the game. The Pioneers added another six points, to take a 50-41 lead midway through the second half. Whitworth tied the game 58-58 on a pair of Lance Pecht freethrows with a little over four minutes remaining in the game. Late field goals by Bryan Williams and Lance Pecht sealed the 78-70 Pirate victory.

For the Pioneers, Ryan Wells led the offense with 25 points, hitting seven three-pointers. David Berggren scored 14.

For the Pirates, Lance Pecht scored 38 points, going 13-17 from the field, including going a perfect 4-4 from three-point range and 8-8 from the free throw line. Pecht also pulled in eight rebounds. George Tucker had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

With the win, Whitworth improves to 15-6 (9-3 NWC). Lewis & Clark falls to 10-11 (5-7 NWC).

The Pirates will host first place Puget Sound on Friday, while t he Pioneers head to George Fox.