SPOKANE, Washington – The Puget Sound men's basketball team had its best game this season shooting the ball, but the Loggers fell to Whitworth, 86-75, Friday night.

The Loggers (1-6, 1-6 NWC) shot a season-best 49.1-percent from the floor, marking the second time this season they shot better than 40-percent. A season-high 15 assists helped Puget Sound's efficiency Friday night.

However, the Pirates (5-3, 3-0 NWC) forced the Loggers into 18 turnovers – which is Puget Sound's second-worst toal this season.

Puget Sound freshman Paul Johnson led the team in scoring with 14 points. He has scored in double figures five times this season. CJ Geathers and Jourdan Joseph both scored 13 points off the bench.

Whitworth held a 50-40 lead at halftime, but the Loggers cut it to a four-point game midway through the second half. Grant Erickson made a couple of free-throws to bring the Loggers to within 59-49. Following a defensive stop, Mussie Teclemariam hit a 3-pointer.

Puget Sound got yet another stop, and Cal Hansen hit a jumper. The Pirates tried to slow the Loggers with a two-point basket, but Johnson answered right back with a trey that made it a 61-57 game with 10:28 on the clock. However, that's as close as the Loggers would get in the second half.

The Loggers and Pirates play one more time Saturday, Feb. 13, at 8 p.m. in Spokane, Washington.