WALLA WALLA, Washington – Liam Ruttledge and Taj Phillips both scored in double figures, but the Puget Sound men's basketball team lost its Northwest Conference semifinal game against Whitworth, 70-51, Friday night. The Loggers were the #2 seed, and the Pirates were the #3 seed. Whitman, the #1 seed, hosted the game.
 
Ruttledge scored a team-high 15 points after shooting 5-for-12 from the floor. Phillips added 11 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
 
The Pirates led by 15 points, 50-35, less than eight minutes into the second. However, the Loggers refused to back down.
 
Ruttledge hit a 3-pointer to bring the Loggers to within 53-42. After exchanging scoreless possessions, Ruttledge earned a trip to the line where he knocked down both free-throws and brought the Loggers to within single digits, 53-44.   
 
After yet another defensive stop, CJ Geathers earned a trip to the line where he went 1-for-2. But the eight-point deficit, 53-45, was as close as the Loggers would get.
 
Whitworth shot 48.3-percent from the floor, while the Loggers shot 32.7-percent.
 
In the annual preseason poll, NWC coaches pegged Puget Sound to finish the regular season in eighth place out of nine teams. Instead, the Loggers finished the regular season in second place in the standings.