SPOKANE, Wash. -- James Jones made a big return to the starting lineup, leading Whitworth past visiting Linfield 71-58 in a Northwest Conference men's basketball contest on Friday night in the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

Jones had 15 points in his return to the lineup

Jones, who had missed the previous seven games with a broken right hand, scored 15 points to tie for game high honors with teammate Ryan Symes. Kevin Hasenfus posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds for the 13th-ranked Pirates (18-2, 9-2 NWC).

Linfield (7-13, 2-9 NWC) got 11 points from Even Timperly and nine points off of the bench from Andy Baldwin. All of Timperly's points came in the first half as the Wildcats kept close to the Pirates with 54% shooting from the field (14/26). Whitworth only led 40-35 at the break.

The Pirates, who lead the NWC in points against and defensive field goal percentage, turned up the defensive pressure on the Wildcats in the second half. Linfield made only 6/25 in the second half (24%), including 1/11 attempts (9%) from three point range.

The Pirates, rebounding from last weekend's second loss of the season at Lewis & Clark, steadily pulled away, building a lead of as many as 19 points (70-51) with just over two minutes left in the game.

Jones made his first two three point attempts for the Bucs, showing little signs of rust from his three week layoff. He finished 3/6 from beyond the arc and 6/11 from the field.

Both teams return to action on Saturday night. Whitworth will host George Fox, while Linfield travels to Whitman.