From PLU Sports Information Office

Complete box score

TACOMA, Wash. – Whitworth used the biggest front line in Northwest Conference men’s basketball to good effect on Saturday night in Olson Auditorium, beating the Pacific Lutheran Lutes, 83-57.

Calvin Jurich

The Pirates (18-5 overall, 10-4 NWC) got 21 points from 6-6, 225-pound post Calvin Jurich and 12 points and 11 rebounds from 6-8, 240-pound post Nate Montgomery in beating PLU for the second time this season.

The contest was tied only once, that coming 1:20 into the game when PLU senior Norman Edwards, Jr., knocked down a jumper to knot the game at 2-2. Whitworth regained the lead on a free throw by Jurich, and the visitors from Spokane would not trail the remainder of the contest.

The Pirates took their first double-digit lead of the game, 15-4, on David Riley’s three-point shot with 12:34 left in the half. PLU was able to cut its deficit to 22-17 with 8:35 to play following Vic Bull’s layup, but that was as close as it got.

Whitworth gradually expanded its 38-28 halftime lead throughout the second period, pounding the ball inside with the two big men playing an effective high- and low-post offense. In fact, Jurich finished with seven assists, most coming on Montgomery’s baskets. Tim Sellereit mixed in a pair of three balls for good measure, and Whitworth led by as much as 28 points in the contest.

Sellereit scored 14 points and Riley added 12 more to join Jurich and Montgomery in double figures and the Pirates hit 29-of-54 shots, good for 54 percent. Whitworth also enjoyed a 37-25 rebounding advantage and had 22 assists in the game.

Curtis Trondsen had a strong game off the bench for Pacific Lutheran, knocking down 8-of-13 shots on the way to a team-high 18 points. In fact, the Lutes had three players in double figures, and all three came off the bench in this game. Kyle MacTaggart finished with 12 points and Nick Stackhouse contributed 10. The Lutes made 21-of-52 shots, or 40 percent accuracy.

Pacific Lutheran closes out its regular season next weekend with road games against Linfield on Friday and George Fox on Saturday.