SPOKANE, Wash. – Ryan Symes scored a career high 33 points to lead Whitworth University past visiting UC Santa Cruz 83-57 in a non-conference men's basketball game on Sunday afternoon at the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

Symes' 33 points is a career-high

Symes (Sr., F, Palo Alto, Calif.) made 10 of 11 shots from the floor and 10 of 11 from the free throw line for his total of 33 points and he added a team-high eight rebounds. His previous career high was 27 points at Pacific University last season. Colin Willemsen (Sr., F, Moraga, Calif.) scored 17 points and dished seven assists to lead the Bucs. Tim Sellereit (Jr., G, Bellingham, Wash.), making his first career start, had 11 points and four assists.

Ryan Matsuoka scored 22 points to lead the Banana Slugs (2-18), while Jon Morrison came off of the bench to add 13 points.

Despite driving all morning from Walla Walla, Washington during the region's heaviest snow storm in 15 years, it was UC Santa Cruz that came out with energy in the opening moments. The Banana Slugs, behind Matsuoka, took a 22-16 lead more than 11 minutes into the game. Matsuoka scored the first 11 points for UCSC.

But Whitworth went on a 17-3 run over the next seven minutes to take a 33-25 advantage. Symes and Willemsen scored all 17 of the Pirates' points during that run.

After leading 35-30 at halftime, Whitworth went on an 18-4 run to open the second half. Willemsen's two free throws gave the Bucs a 53-34 lead. Whitworth eventually stretched the advantage to as many as 28 points late in the game.

The Pirates made 50% of their shots from the field (28-56) and were 19 of 23 (83%) from the free throw line. UCSC outrebounded Whitworth 31-28, but the Banana Slugs committed 23 turnovers to only eight for the Pirates.

Whitworth will return to Northwest Conference action next weekend when the Pirates host Linfield College (Friday) and Willamette University (Saturday) in the Fieldhouse. Whitworth heads into the weekend tied with University of Puget Sound for first place in the NWC standings.