TACOMA, Wash. – In a game that featured 14 lead changes, the Whitworth Pirates (16-2, 7-2 NWC) narrowly escaped with a 60-58 win over Puget Sound (8-10, 3-6 NWC) at Memorial Fieldhouse on Friday night. The Pirates secured the victory with a late go-ahead jumper and clutch free throws in the final seconds.

Puget Sound's Hugo Rutherfurd put together a dominant performance, recording a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 7-for-9 from the field. Taj Phillips added 15 points, hitting three three-pointers, and dished out five assists. Despite shooting a solid 41.2% overall and 76.9% from the free-throw line, the Loggers faltered late, scoring just one point in the final 30 seconds. The Pirates shot 41.7% from the field but struggled from beyond the arc, making just 4-of-17 attempts.

The Loggers held a 30-28 halftime lead, but Whitworth stayed close throughout the second half. With under a minute to play, Puget Sound led 58-57 after a free throw by Rutherfurd. However, Long responded with a jumper at the 16-second mark to give Whitworth the lead. Puget Sound had a final chance, but Phillips' contested jumper with six seconds left fell to the side, and Pirate Colton Looney added a free throw to seal the win.

Puget Sound will look to bounce back in their next matchup tomorrow against Whitman College (8-9, 6-2 NWC), with tipoff scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Memorial Fieldhouse.