McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Whitworth University rebounded from its first Northwest Conference loss with one of its best offensive performances of the season in an 83-59 Northwest Conference victory at Linfield College on Saturday night.
The Pirates shot 51% from the field to improve to 11-4 overall and 5-1 in the NWC coming off of last night's defeat at George Fox. The Wildcats fall to 2-13, 0-6.
Every player on the roster saw action in the game and 13 different men scored as Whitworth head coach Matt Logie used his bench liberally throughout the contest. Colton McCargar led the Bucs with 19 points while Christian Jurlina came off of the bench for a dozen points. They were the only two Whitworth players in double figures.
After struggling with three-point shooting much of the year, the Pirates hit a season-high 45% (10-22) of their shots from behind the arc against the Wildcats. Whitworth also took advantage of its chances at the free throw line, making 82% (23-28).
The game started slowly on offense for both teams. Whitworth did not score until Dustin McConnell converted 1-2 free throws 2:16 into the game and Linfield didn't score until Mason Rodby's basket almost three minutes in.
The Pirates took their first double-digit lead at 37-27 on McConnell's three with 1:55 left in the half and took a 41-30 lead into the locker rooms.
Whitworth put the game away with a 19-2 run over the first seven and a half minutes of the second half. McCargar's three-pointer gave the Bucs a 52-32 lead and Adam Wilks scored inside to extend the advantage to 60-32 with 12:34 left in the game.
Ryan Potter scored 12 points for Linfield, while Chris Dirks chipped in with 11 points. The Wildcats made 38% of their shots from the field.
Whitworth's win is its 11th in a row over Linfield.
The Pirates are now tied for first place in the NWC standings with both Whitman and Lewis & Clark. Whitworth will play both this coming week – Tuesday at Whitman and Saturday at home against L&C.