SPOKANE, Wash. - David Riley scored 20 points and the Whitworth defense limited visiting Loras to 26% shooting in the first half of the Pirates' season-opening 74-50 men's basketball victory on Saturday night in the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

The Pirates made 60% (15-25) from the floor in the decisive first half, including 47% (8-17) from beyond the arc. By halftime Whitworth had opened a 41-22 lead and the Bucs were never threatened in the second half.

Riley, a senior, scored 16 of his 20 points to spark the Pirates to the dominating first half. Senior guard Michael Taylor added 16 points in his Whitworth debut after transferring from the University of Montana. Jack Loofburrow came off of the bench for 13 points.

Connor Mooney and Dan Pawelski each scored 14 point for the Duhawks (0-2).

Whitworth never trailed and the game was tied only at 3-3 after the teams traded opening treys. Whitworth scored the next eight points and stretched the lead to 18-7 with just over 12 minutes to play after a Loofburrow jumper. The Pirates' largest lead of the half was their last lead of the half (41-22) when Riley hit a long three and one of two free throws.

Loras got as close as 47-31 on a jumper by Ryan Coon early in the second half, but Whitworth eventually opened a lead as large as 30 points (74-44) on a three pointer by freshman Colton McCargar with just under three minutes to play.

Whitworth will host Trinity University (Texas) on Monday night in a regionally televised game (SWX) at 5:30 p.m.