SWX Right Now-Sports News for Washington and IdahoWhitworth beats George Fox to win NWC tournament

Whitworth beats George Fox to win NWC tournament

SPOKANE, Wash. - Clay Gebbers' 17 points off of the bench sparked Whitworth University to a 97-75 victory over visiting George Fox University in the Northwest Conference men's basketball tournament championship game on Saturday night, giving the Pirates an automatic bid to next week's NCAA Division III tournament.

Fifth-ranked Whitworth improved to 25-2, the second most wins in school history, while increasing the school-record winning streak to 24 in a row. The Bucs' streak is the longest active in NCAA men's basketball at any level.

Gebbers (Jr., G, Brewster, Wash.), who came back from an elbow to the forehead midway through the second half, broke his previous career high of 15 points. Five Pirates reached double figures and Whitworth tied a school record with 17 three-pointers in the contest.

The teams traded leads over the first six minutes as both the Bruins and Pirates came out on fire. Bo Gregg's (Sr., F, Lewiston, Idaho) lay up gave Whitworth an early 13-8 lead, but Fox fought back to go up 14-13 on a lay up by Evan Atwater. Alex Stockner scored inside to give the Bruins their final lead of the game at 18-16 with 13:40 to play.

Then Whitworth took control, going on an 18-2 run over the next six and a half minutes to open up a 34-20 lead. Gebbers started the rally with consecutive three-pointers and ended it with another. The Pirates would eventually take a 48-27 lead on a three-pointer by Wade Gebbers (Fr., G, Brewster, Wash.) before heading into halftime with a 50-36 advantage.

Jack Martin hit three free throws early in the second half to get George Fox back within 59-45. After the Bucs appeared to be pulling away, the Bruins made one more mini-run to get back within 69-54 on a three-pointer by Alex Stockner with 12:27 to go. But that would be as close as the Bruins would get. Gregg hit a long three for an 80-58 Pirate lead, then Wade Gebbers hit another three for Whitworth's largest lead of the game (86-60) with 7:29 to go.

The Pirates blistered the nets for 17 three-pointers, tying a school record that was originally set in the first round of the NAIA Division II tournament in 1996. Whitworth shot 55% (17-31) from three-point range. The Pirates hit 52% (33-63) overall.

Gregg led Whitworth with 21 points, while Eric Beal (Sr., G, Spokane, Wash.) added 19 points and five assists. Nate Montgomery (Sr., P, Sammamish, Wash.) finished with 16 points and nine rebounds and Wade Gebbers added 14 points to round out the five Bucs in double figures.

Stockner led George Fox (13-14) with a game-high 25 points, making 5-9 from three-point range. Martin contributed 14 points and led all players with six assists. Atwater finished with 10 points.

Whitworth will find out when and where it will play in the NCAA Division III tournament when the brackets are announced on Monday morning. The Pirates will be making their fourth straight NCAA Division III tournament appearance and fifth all time.