HOLLAND, Mich. - Kent Raymond scored 47 points from nearly every spot on the floor to lead Wheaton College to a 76-67 win over Whitworth University in the NCAA Division III men's basketball Sectional Semifinals on Friday Night at DeVos Fieldhouse on the campus of Hope College.

Raymond was 12 of 21 from the floor, including 7 of 10 from three point range, and made 16 of 17 from the free throw line to reach a new career high for the junior who averages 24 points per game. Raymond, a junior All-American who is the Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Player of the Year each of the last two seasons, topped his previous best of 44 points.

Symes scored 29 to lead Whitworth

Ryan Symes (Sr., F, Palo Alto, Calif.) scored 29 points to keep the Pirates in the game. Symes did not score until 2:05 remained in the first half and he had only five points at halftime. He made 9 of 12 baskets in the second half for the Pirates.

Calvin Jurich (Jr., P, Spokane, Wash.) was the only other Whitworth player to reach double figures in scoring, finishing with 10 points and a team-high six rebounds. Tim Sellereit (Jr., G, Bellingham, Wash.) came off of the bench for eight points.

Whitworth made 48% of its shots (25-52), but only hit 3 of 12 from three point range. The Pirates finished 14 of 15 from the free throw line (93%). Wheaton shot 51% (23-45) and made 8 of 14 (57%) from three point range. The Thunder were 22 of 26 from the free throw line.

Whitworth fell behind early 13-8 after Raymond was fouled on a three pointer and made all three ties. The Pirates responded with a 7-0 run to take their first lead (15-13) on a pair of free throws by Colin Willemsen (Sr., F, Moraga, Calif.). But Wheaton answered with a 12-2 run, including a pair of three point shots by Raymond, to take a 25-17 lead. The Thunder led by as much as 29-19 before the teams went to the locker rooms with Whitworth trailing 33-28. Raymond had 17 of his points at the break.

Raymond hit a three pointer and a lay up to open the second half, giving Wheaton a quick ten point advantage. But Symes began to answer back at that point, and pulled the Pirates within 46-41 with 13:28 to play. Another Raymond three pointer put the Thunder back up 57-47, but Symes scored six points in a 9-0 run that got Whitworth back within 57-56 with 5:36 to play, the closest the Bucs would get in the second half. But Raymond answered with an 8-0 run of his own to give Wheaton some room. Raymond scored 17 of the Thunder's final 19 points.

Wheaton guard Andrew Johns, who came into the game averaging 6.1 points, added 14 points for the Thunder. Andy Wiele, a 6-8 post, grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds.

Whitworth finishes the season 21-7 and advanced to the Sectional Semifinals of the NCAA Division III tournament for the first time. Wheaton (23-7) will play the winner of tonight's second game between Ohio Wesleyan and host Hope for the right to go to next week's national semifinals in Salem, Virginia.