News Release

SPOKANE, Wash. — One night after using a complete half of stifling defense to run away from a Northwest Conference opponent, Whitworth College did it again in an 89-61 win over visiting Lewis & Clark College in a Northwest Conference men's basketball game on Saturday night in the Whitworth Fieldhouse.

After outscoring Willamette 34-17 in the second half of a 22-point win on Friday night thanks to an outstanding defensive effort, Whitworth jumped to a 49-20 lead over the Pioneers at halftime of Saturday's game. The Pirates held L&C to only 23% shooting in the half, including 20% (4/20) from three point range. Whitworth had a 23-15 edge in rebounds and an 8-3 advantage in turnovers.

Kevin Hasenfus scored 14 of his career high 20 points in the first half. He also led the Pirates with nine rebounds. He led five Pirates in double figures. George Tucker added 16 points, while Lance Pecht tallied 12 points. Bryan Williams and James Jones each scored 11 and Williams led the Bucs with six assists.

Mark Robinowitz scored all of his team-high 18 points in the second half for L&C. David Berggren added 17 points and Jeff Christensen finished with ten. Larry Johnson and Sean Brannon each grabbed seven boards for L&C.

Hasenfus scored six of Whitworth's first 11 points as the Pirates took an 11-3 lead. A 13-0 run made the game 26-8 with under ten minutes to play in the half. L&C closed to within 28-13 after a pair of free throws by Johnson, but the Pioneers would never get any closer. The Pirates closed the half on a 21-7 run.

Whitworth's lead eventually reached 70-31 after a three point play by Antonio McClinon with 12:20 to play in the game. The Pioneers, behind the hot hand of Robinowitz, got back to within 24 points on two occasions, but never any closer.

Lewis & Clark fell to 4-8 overall and 0-4 in the NWC with the loss. The Pioneers will try to break break into the NWC win column when they host George Fox University next Friday night in Portland.

Whitworth (9-4, 3-1) will travel west to play the University of Puget Sound on Friday and Pacific Lutheran on Saturday. UPS is ranked 8th nationally and undefeated (4-0) in the NWC. PLU was still searching for its first NWC victory coming into tonight's game with Linfield.