SPOKANE, Wash. -- Trailing at halftime for only the second time this season, top-ranked Whitworth rallied to an 89-66 win over visiting George Fox on Saturday night at the Whitworth Fieldhouse.
The 2011 Northwest Conference champion Pirates improved to 23-0 overall and 14-0 in the NWC. The Bruins fell to 7-16, 5-9.
George Fox was never intimidated by Whitworth's high rating. The Bruins took it to the Pirates in front of a crowd of 1,930, jumping to a lead of 12-9 on a three-pointer by Cole Whitehurst. But it was Stephen Wiseley who drove George Fox to the halftime advantage. He scored 18 points in the first period, making 5-8 from the field, 3-4 from three-point range and 5-7 from the free throw line. Behind Wiseley's big half, Whitworth trailed 43-40 at the break. It is the first time the Pirates have trailed at halftime since November 24th against Carthage.
But then the Pirates woke up behind Wade Gebbers. Gebbers scored all 20 of his points after halftime to help Whitworth outscore the Bruins 49-23. His basket capped a 14-3 run out of the gate that gave the Bucs a 54-45 advantage. When Gebbers drained a three for a 62-49 Pirate lead with 14:28 to play, Whitworth would never again lead by less than ten points.
Michael Taylor (Brewster, Wash.) scored 21 points to lead the Pirates in scoring. Gebbers finished 7-10 from the floor, 4-5 from beyond the arc, for his 20 points. Jack Loofburrow came off of the bench for 11 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Felix Friedt also had 11 points and grabbed seven boards. Clay Gebbers scored ten and dished four assists.
Whitworth seniors Clay Gebbers, David Riley, Troy Kalbhenn and Michael Taylor were recognized prior to the game. Gebbers and Riley finish their careers as the winningest players in school history.
Wiseley did not score after halftime, but still led GFU with 18 points. Whitehurst finished with 15 points. The Bruins' Mike Taylor scored nine points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds.
Whitworth's unbeaten record will be put to the test on Tuesday night when the Pirates take on Whitman (17-6), winners of seven in a row, on the road.