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THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- (From the CLU SID Office) Whitworth defeated Luther 71-44 Friday night at CLU Gymnasium to win the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans men’s basketball tournament. Cal Lutheran lost the consolation game 60-64 to Nebraska Wesleyan.

Jon Young led the Pirates on offense with 17 points, including five from behind the arc. Bryan Williams (16), Kevin Hasenfus (13), and Lance Pecht (13) also scored in double digits for Whitworth. George Tucker dished a career high nine assists from his forward position and played solid defense to lead the Pirate attack. Andy Rump and Andy Campbell had eight points each to lead the Norse.

George Tucker

Thrivent Financial Tournament MVP
George Tucker, Whitworth

Thrivent Financial All-Tournament Team
Joseph Easley, Nebraska Wesleyan
Kevin Hasenfus, Whitworth
Phil Lehmann, California Lutheran
Andy Rump, Luther
Bryan Williams, Whitworth

Whitworth will now play at the Occidental Holiday Classic on Monday and Tuesday. The Pirates will play the host Tigers on Monday night at 7:30 pm. Occidental is 7-1 this season. The Tigers' last game was a 67-62 victory at La Sierra University on December 19th. Occidental is led by a pair of talented forwards. Junior Sam Betty averages 20.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Senior Zach Phillips adds 14.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per contest. Occidental is looking to make it back to the NCAA tournament, where the Tigers advanced to the Division III Elite Eight in 2003.

Whitworth will take on Pomona-Pitzer on Tuesday at 5:30 pm. The Sagehens are 4-3 after opening against a very tough schedule. P-P's last game was a tough 63-54 loss at NAIA DI Biola on December 17th. Junior guard David Knowles is averaging 17 points per game and making 48% of his three point tries this year.

The Pirates have never played Occidental or Pomona-Pitzer.