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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A 19-0 run midway through the second half propelled Whitworth College to a come-from-behind season opening 80-78 victory over Wisconsin Lutheran College in the first round of the Calvin College Tip Off tournament.

After trailing 46-29 at halftime and 68-48 with 12:56 to play, the Pirates outscored the Warriors 19-0 over the next five minutes. A three point basket by Lance Pecht got Whitworth within 68-67 with 7:47 to play. The Bucs finally took the lead at 74-72 after another three point shot by Pecht with 3:10 to go in the game. Whitworth led 79-75 with 30 seconds left after a pair of free throws by Bryan Williams. But Micah Biesterfeld nailed a three pointer with 16 seconds to play to pull WLC within one. Jon Young made one of two free throws, and the Warriors' final three point try did not go in with three seconds to play.

Pecht led Whitworth with 25 points and six rebounds. George Tucker scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half for the Pirates. Williams finished with a game high 12 assists and three steals while playing a full 40 minutes. Calvin Jurich came off of the bench for six rebounds.

Lewis Jiles led WLC with 16 points, while Danny Behm came off of the bench to score 13 points. Nathan Zondag led all players with nine rebounds.

The Warriors outshot the Pirates 52.8% to 43.5%, but Whitworth forced 22 Wisconsin Lutheran turnovers, including 15 in the second half, while only committing nine for the entire game.

Whitworth will now play the winner of the Calvin-Grace Bible contest in the championship game on Saturday night at 7:30 pm (CST).