THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Whitworth had two chances at a game-winning three-pointer in the final eight seconds, but neither went down in a 69-67 loss to Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the second round of the NCAA Division III men's basketball tournament on Saturday night at California Lutheran's Gilbert Arena.
The Pirates finish with a 20-9 record while the Stags (22-6) advance to play Nebraska Wesleyan in the sectional semifinals (Sweet 16) next weekend at a location to be determined.
Diego Jaques had a clean look at a three-pointer from the top of the key with eight seconds left. It hit the front of the rim and Garret Long was able to direct the ball to Jake Holtz, whose well-guarded three-point attempt was no good as time expired.
The game may have been decided at the free throw line, where Whitworth made only 7-17 attempts (41.2%) after making 72% for most of the season. Meanwhile CMS was 14-18 (77.8%) at the charity stripe.
Like in last night's win over host Cal Lutheran, the Pirates got out to a quick start then went cold. Sullivan Menard sandwiched a pair of three-pointers around one by Holtz for a 9-0 run that gave the Bucs a 14-4 lead just over five minutes into the game. The Stags answered with a 14-4 run to tie the game 18-18 on a layup by Will Householter. Reid Jones hit a three-pointer to give CMS a 29-24 lead with under seven minutes to play in the half, but Whitworth fought back to get within 33-32 at the break on a jumper from Menard.
After Whitworth went ahead 37-35 on another Menard trey early in the second half, the Stags used a 10-0 run to take their largest lead of the game (45-37) with 14:36 to play. The Pirates immediately responded with a 9-1 run to tie the contest 46-46 on Menard's layup. With seven minutes to play the game was still tied 54-54 when Holtz hit a pull-up three-pointer to put the Bucs ahead 57-54, but CMS fought back to go up 63-60 with four minutes left.
The outcome appeared dire for the Pirates when Will King hit two free throws with 1:38 left to give the Stags a 69-64 lead. Menard was fouled shooting a three-pointer on Whitworth's next possession and he made all three to get the Pirates within two points. Whitworth made two defensive stops over the final 90 seconds, but could not get the tying or go-ahead bucket to fall.
Menard led all scorers with 27 points, including five three-pointers. Holtz added 14 points and both had seven rebounds. Carson Talbert scored eight off the bench on 4-4 shooting. Whitworth made 49% (26-53) from the field, 32% (8-25) from three-point range.
Josh Angle, the 2024 SCIAC Player of the Year, scored 21 to lead CMS. Five players reached double figures for the Stags, who played only seven players in the game. King finished with 15 points. CMS made 46.4% (26-56) from the floor, only 17.6% (3-17) from three-point range.
Whitworth made its 17th NCAA Div. III tournament appearance and the Pirates are now 15-16 all-time. Menard and Jerry Twenge played their final games as Pirates.