PLEASANT HILL, Calif. - Cal Lutheran played nearly even with No. 12 Whitworth over the opening 33 minutes. However the Kingsmen were on the short end of an 18-5 scoring run to close out Friday morning's contest falling to the Pirates, 67-53.

Box Score: WHTW 67, CLU 53 - F

It was the first of four games to be played over Friday and Saturday at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, Calif. The Northwest Conference (NWC)/Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Challenge teams also include Whitman from the NWC and soon-to-be SCIAC member Chapman.

Neither CLU nor Whitworth showed much offensive success in the early going. The Pirates erased an early Cal Lutheran advantage to lead 23-21 at halftime.

Back-to-back three's by Mike Harris and Jayvaughn Nettles, followed up by two of Aaron Van Klaveren's team-high 13 points pulled the Kingsmen even with 13:30 left in regulation. The Pirates willingness to attack the basket and get to the foul line eventually paid off in the latter stages. Whitworth was either able to score or get to the charity stripe.

The Pirates outscored the Kingsmen 26-16 in points in the paint featuring 18 in the second half. As a team the Pirates knocked down 26-of-32 free throws in all including 20-of-23 in the second half. Despite taking only 18 shot attempts over the final 20 minutes the Pirates earned a 15-point advantage at the foul line during that span.

Four of Cal Lutheran's five starters were charged with four personal fouls. In contrast four of Whitworth's starting five were assessed only one personal foul.

Van Klaveren scored on 5-of-6 shots from the field and grabbed 10 rebounds to complete his double-double. CLU newcomer Ryan Burris scored 12 points in 23 minutes off the bench.

Whitworth's Idris Lasisi led all players with 16 points and converted each of his seven free throw attempts. Jack Loofburrow scored 13 and was one board shy of a double-double.

To close out Friday's competition Whitman defeated Chapman, 77-64. The Missionaries never trailed and led by as many as 21 points.

WC's David Michaels scored a Friday best 31 points on 13-of-17 shooting from the floor including 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. Ben Ricard led Chapman with 23 points and eight rebounds in the loss.

Cal Lutheran will play Whitman at Noon on Saturday, Nov. 26. Chapman will face Whitworth at 10 a.m.