#21 LOGGERS FALL JUST SHORT AT WHITWORTH, 80-78
SPOKANE, Wash. - Junior guard Antwan Williams (Portland, Ore./Madison) scored his 1000th point in the maroon and white but the 21st-ranked Puget Sound Loggers fell victim to the Whitworth Pirates, 80-78, in a Northwest Conference men's basketball game on Saturday night at Whitworth Fieldhouse in Spokane, Wash.
In the first half, the Loggers used their high-pressure defense to prevent the Pirates from making a field goal in the final ten minutes of the half. Junior forward Jason Foster (Tacoma, Wash./Foss) led the way for UPS with 17 points in the first half as Puget Sound took a 40-30 lead into the break. The Pirates made just seven-of-24 attempts in the first half but were sent to the line 22 times, earning 16 of their 30 first-half points from the charity stripe.
In the second half, Ross Nakamura scored seven pick points for Whitworth to pull the Bucs within two, 42-40 with 16:39 remaining. The Pirates tied the game up shortly after and the two teams traded leads for a bit before the Loggers pulled back ahead. Whitworth again tied things up with 6:14 remaining and then pulled ahead by as many as five with just over a minute left.
Following a three-pointer by Williams with 56 seconds remaining that put him over 1000 points for his career and pulled the Loggers within two, Nakumura hit a pair of free throws to put Whitworth up by four with 45 seconds remaining. Following a collection of free throws by both teams, Williams hit another three with six seconds remaining to pull the Loggers within one point. Nakamura hit a free throw to put the Bucs up by two and Ryan Symes collected the layup of the ensuing missed free throw as time ran out in the game and the Loggers potential comeback.
Puget Sound was led by 24 points and 10 rebounds from Jason Foster (Tacoma, Wash./Foss). Williams added 21 points while Taylor Marsh (Lynnwood, Wash./Meadowdale) chalked up 16 in the loss.
Whitworth was led by 28 points from Symes. Colin Willemsen added 20 points while Nakamura chipped in 19 points in the victory. The Pirates turned the ball over just nine times during the contest and headed to the charity stripe 43 times, making 30 of those attempts.
The Loggers remain in first place in the NWC standings but now must share the top spot with Whitworth at 10-4 in conference play.
The Loggers hit the hardwood again on Friday night when they play host to Lewis & Clark. Tip-off with the Pioneers is set for 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Fieldhouse in Tacoma, Wash.
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