Complete box score

WALLA WALLA , Wash. – Whitworth took a big step toward clinching a first round home game in the upcoming Northwest Conference men's basketball tournament with a 97-87 win at Whitman on Tuesday night.

David Riley

Four different players scored 20-plus points for the Pirates (19-5 overall, 11-4 NWC) in the win. Calvin Jurich (Sr., P, Spokane, Wash.) led the way with 22 points, while David Riley (So., G, Palo Alto, Calif.) posted his first career double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Bo Gregg (Jr., F, Lewiston, Idaho) made 6 of 9 from three point range for 20 points, while Tim Sellereit (Sr., G, Bellingham, Wash.) came off of the bench for 20 points. Ross Nakamura (Sr., G, Moraga, Calif.) finished with 12 points and eight assists.

The contest was essentially decided in the first half when Whitworth made 62% (21-34) of its shots from the field, including 9-13 from three-point range.

After Whitman took an early 6-2 lead, Whitworth went on an 11-0 run, including a pair of threes from Gregg, to go up 13-6. The Pirates stretched the lead to 21-10 on another three by Gregg before the Missionaries fought back to within 32-31 with 9:45 to play in the game. The Bucs only led 45-41 before closing the half on a 10-2 run for a 55-43 lead at halftime.

Whitworth extended its lead over the first ten minutes of the second half, taking its largest lead (77-59) on a jumper by Riley. But Whitman battled back to pull within 85-78 on a three-pointer by Brandon Shaw with 3:30 to play. Sellereit answered with a three of his own, then two possessions later drove for an important lay up to stem the Missionary momentum. Whitworth closed the game by making 7 of 8 from the free throw line.

Chris Faidley and Jordan Wheeler shared game-high scoring honors for Whitman with 23 points apiece and the pair combined to make 8-12 from beyond the arc. David Michaels added 12 points and nine rebounds.

The Pirates stretched their winning streak over Whitman to 20 games in a row and have clinched at least a tie for second place in the NWC standings. Should Lewis & Clark lose at Whitman (9-15, 5-10) on Friday, or Whitworth beat L&C on Sunday afternoon (3:00 p.m. in the Fieldhouse), the Pirates will hold second place all alone and earn the right to host a first round game in the NWC tournament next week.