Whitworth (10-6 overall, 4-3 NWC) broke a modest two game losing streak with the win, its fourth at home against no losses. Whitman (7-8, 3-4) dropped its second straight decision.
Whitman had a chance to tie the game with just over a minute to play. After Garth Brandal grabbed an offensive rebound off of a missed free throw with the Missionaries trailing 83-80, Greg Ricker missed a three pointer with 1:20 to go that could have tied the contest. Then with the shot clock winding down, Pecht nailed a three point basket with 57 seconds to play that gave the Pirates an 86-80 lead.
Whitman took an early lead in a tightly fought first half that included four ties and five lead changes. Kyle Born scored two baskets during an 8-0 Missionary run that turned a 28-23 deficit into a 31-28 lead. Whitworth retook the lead on back to back three pointers by Jon Young and then went to the locker room with a 48-44 advantage after Bryan Williams swished a three pointer as the clock expired.
Whitworth opened up a 64-51 lead in the second half after a George Tucker three pointer and a pair of free throws by Williams. The Pirates still led 72-60 with 10:15 to play. But Whitman fought back to within 79-77 on a basket by Born with 3:47 left. Trailing 83-79 with 1:45 to go, Kofler made one of two free throws, setting up Brandal's rebound and the key possession of the game. The Pirates made 8/10 free throws in the final minute to preserve the victory.
Pecht made 12 of 17 shots from the field and was 4/4 from the free throw line for his 29 points. He added a team-high six rebounds. Tucker finished with 20 points, while Young and Kevin Hasenfus each scored 16 points. Williams dished eight assists.
Born scored 25 to lead Whitman, but he was only able to score two points after halftime. Matt Kelly picked up his game in the second half, however, scoring 17 of his 23 points after the break. Chris Faidley added 11 points off of the bench and Kofler grabbed a game-high seven rebounds off of the bench. Point guard Greg Ricker tied for game high honors in assists with eight.
Whitworth picked up its 13th consecutive win over Whitman in the series between the Eastern Washington schools.
The Missionaries will host Pacific University on Friday night at 8:00 pm, followed by Pacific's game at Whitworth on Saturday.