CLAREMONT, Calif. - Visiting Whitworth used a 13-1 run midway through the second half to pull away from Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in a 79-64 non-conference men's basketball victory on Sunday afternoon at Ducey Gymnasium.
The sixth-ranked Pirates improved to 9-0 this season while the short-handed Stags(2-5) dropped their fifth straight decision without two-time SCIAC Player of the Year Chris Blees.
Four Whitworth players hit double figures in scoring, led by David Riley's game-high 21 points.
Wade Gebbers made his first three attempts from three-point range to help the Pirates jump out to a quick 13-5 lead. Whitworth still led by eight points (23-15) midway through the first half after Felix Friedt scored inside. But CMS fought back and took a 31-29 lead on a three-pointer by Tyler Gaffaney with under four minutes to play in the period. Jack Loofburrow answered with a three-point play for the Pirates and Riley scored Whitworth's final five points - including a jumper at the buzzer - to give the Bucs a 39-35 lead at the break.
The scrappy Stags to continued to battle the Pirates closely through the opening minutes of the second half. When Shane Davis hit a lay-up following a three-pointer by Kevin Sullivan, CMS had taken a 49-48 lead with under 15 minutes to go. But that was when Whitworth went on its 13-1 run, including a three-point play and a three-pointer by Michael Taylor (Brewster), to take a 61-50 lead five minutes later. The Stags got back within 61-55 after a pair of Gaffaney free throws, but the Pirates answered with a 10-0 run to open a 71-55 lead with under four minutes to play.
Riley made 8-15 shots from the field, including three three-pointers, before fouling out late in the game. Taylor scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half and led the Bucs with five assists. Friedt also had 16 points, including 8-10 free throws, and led all players with 11 rebounds. Gebbers scored all 15 of his points from the three-point line as the Pirates made 9-20 (45%) from beyond the arc. Whitworth shot 48% (27-46) from the field overall.
Cody Mivshek came off of the bench to lead CMS with 19 points on 6-7 shooting, including four three-pointers. Gaffaney finished with 15 points. The Stags made 45% (22-49) of their shots, but struggled (10-18) from the free throw line.
Whitworth will take a break for Christmas, then return to action at the D3hoops.com Classic in Las Vegas where the Pirates will play Ripon (Wis.) on December 28 and Colorado College on Dec. 29.