SPOKANE, Wash. – Liam Ruttledge and Zane Miller combine for 33 points, but it was not enough in a 79-70 loss to Whitworth University on Sunday afternoon for men's basketball.

The Whitworth Pirates got off to a nine point lead after two turnovers and a missed shot from the Loggers. The Loggers quickly jumped back in with consecutive three-pointers from Jack Bailey and Ruttledge starting an 8-0 run of their own. The game movement was back-and-forth, scoring on each possession, the Pirates held the lead for most of the first half.

Whitworth capitalized on points from turnovers in the first half scoring 10 and adding 8 points in second chance opportunities. 

The Loggers started the scoring in the second half tying it up 35-35, a similar rhythm began to repeat itself with nine ties and six lead changes. It was after a media timeout at 4:44 that the Pirates started to take control gaining an 8-point lead the Loggers wouldn't be able to recover from. In the last minute, Miller attempted a comeback, drilling a consecutive final pair of three's, but it wasn't enough to get within less than five points. Whitworth outshot the Loggers 44-37, shooting for 61.9% in the second half, while the Loggers shot for 46.9%. 

Freshman Miller shot 6-for-7 from the floor, going 4-of-4 from beyond the arc and adding a game-high nine rebounds in the loss. Hugo Rutherfurd delivered 10 points, eight boards, three assists and a block. 

The Loggers return to Tacoma to visit Pacific Lutheran University on Wednesday, January 24, the men play at 8 p.m.