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THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Trailing by nine points with just two minutes to play, Whitworth College rallied to force overtime and then Jon Young nailed a three pointer in the final seconds of the extra period to defeat Nebraska Wesleyan University 76-73 in the first round of the CLU Thrivent Financial men's basketball tournament.

Young and George Tucker each scored 18 points to lead the Pirates, who improved to 6-2 with the comeback victory. Kevin Hasenfus dominated inside with 15 points and 16 rebounds, while Lance Pecht totaled 11 points and nine boards. Bryan Williams dished a game-high 12 assists.

The game was tight early, with eight ties and four lead changes in the first ten minutes. But NWU's Mark Heiser broke a 20-20 tie with a free throw and the Prairie Wolves eventually led 37-31 at halftime. NWU outshot Whitworth 48% to 37% and had a 20-17 edge in rebounds.

The Prairie Wolves continued to lead throughout the second half, stretching the advantage to 63-54 with 3:38 to play on a lay-up by Heiser. Another Heiser basket put NWU up 67-58 with 2:02 to go. But the Wolves would not score again. Two Tucker free throws were followed by a steal and lay up by Young with 1:41 left. The teams traded missed shots, running more than a minute off of the clock. Rob Simons scored a lay up with 22 ticks left to pull the Pirates within three. Williams then stole the inbound pass and Pecht hit a three pointer from the corner with five seconds left to tie the game.

Whitworth quickly took a four point lead in the overtime after back to back baskets by Tucker. But they could not pull away and Heiser tied the game with 30 seconds left with a pair of free throws. Playing for the final shot, Tucker worked for an opening on the right side before passing back out to an open Young, who nailed the three pointer from the left wing with six seconds to play. NWU's last second effort to tie the game was no good.

Joseph Easley led the Prairie Wolves with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Heiser totaled 11 points and six assists. Andrew Heckman also scored 11 for NWU.

Whitworth outrebounded NWU 27-17 in the second half.

The Pirates will play Luther College in Friday's championship. The Norse defeated host Cal Lutheran 65-61 in Thursday's other first round game.