SPOKANE, Washington – The Puget Sound men's basketball team lost at Whitworth on a buzzer-beating jumper, 77-75, Saturday night.
 
Mussie Teclemariam scored a career-high 25 points for the Loggers, and he pulled down a team-high seven rebounds. Grant Erickson finished with 17 points and six rebounds.
 
The Loggers have had a penchant for comeback victories this season, and they trailed the Pirates by 10 points, 58-48, midway through the second half.
 
A 3-pointer by Dezman Baker cut Whitworth's lead to seven points. After the Pirates scored in the paint, Will Pohland hit a 3-pointer to make it a 60-54 deficit with 9:10 on the clock.
 
The Pirates answered with a trey of their own, but Pohland stayed hot and hit another 3-pointer to keep the Loggers within two possessions. Following a defensive stop, Teclemariam connected from distance to bring the Loggers to within 63-60.
 
One minute later, Teclemariam scored in the paint to make it a one-point game, 65-64, with 5:33 left in regulation. Erickson tied the game, 67-67, with a free-throw and 4:25 on the clock, but Whitworth responded by connecting on two free-throws.
 
Two minutes later, Teclemariam tied the game, 69-69, when he earned a trip to the line and made both attempts. Whitworth briefly took a 71-69 lead, but then Erickson converted a three-point play to give Puget Sound a 72-71 edge.
 
Whitworth converted a four-point play to go up 75-72 with just over one minute left in regulation. Taj Phillips then earned a trip to the line and made both attempts to bring the Loggers to within a point.
 
After a crucial defensive stand, Erickson drew a foul to go to the free-throw line. He missed the first attempt, but made the second to tie the game.
 
Whitworth called a timeout with three second left, and the Pirates hit a fade-away jumper from the elbow to win the game.
 
Puget Sound returns home next week to host Willamette and George Fox (Feb. 3-4).