The Whitman men’s basketball team won both of its games against Tacoma area universities this weekend, defeating the Pacific Lutheran Lutes 87-75 Friday, Feb. 12, before jumping all over the Loggers from the University of Puget Sound 88-69 Saturday, Feb. 13. The wins, both home games, allowed the Missionaries to hold serve and remain in the playoff hunt, mathematically at least. Unfortunately Whitman was not able to prevail against Northwest Conference-leading Whitworth University Tuesday, Feb. 16, falling to the Pirates 70-57 in a defensive slug-fest.

Two first-years led the Missionaries in scoring against the Lutes with Peter Clark scoring 18 points on 6-8 shooting, while LuQuam Thompson scored eight of his 17 points from the free throw line. Pacific Lutheran was led by wing Kyle McTaggart’s 21 points.

Whitman’s defense forced 18 turnovers against Pacific Lutheran and 22 against Puget Sound despite Coach Bridgeland’s decision to play less full court press defense. This change allowed the Missionaries more time to recuperate after offensive possessions.

“We had more energy, which helped us play harder in the half court,” said sophomore guard Brandon Shaw.

Shaw had an active night against the Lutes, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds and three assists, but was unable to replicate his performance against Puget Sound because of an on-court incident that occurred with seven minutes left in the first half. There was a brief scuffle between opposing players during a loose ball and when the dust finally settled, three players: two of them Missionaries: were ejected. Shaw and key reserve first-year Drew Raher, known for his scrambling defense and hustle plays, were both forced to sit out Tuesday’s game against  Whitworth.

When asked about the altercation, Shaw was both remorseful and determined.

“It was the heat of the moment. It’s unfortunate, because now I can’t play in the Whitworth game, but if I could do it over again, I don’t know if I would do anything different,” he said.

With the score tied and the home team down two players, the Whitman men needed a cliché sports movie rally to gain back invaluable momentum. The Missionaries delivered on the moment’s ESPN “Classic” potential with a furious 13-3 run. Tacoma natives Thompson (28 points) and junior Justin Artis (18 points on 8-10 shooting) led Whitman in scoring against their old home town team.

Senior Jordan Wheeler also contributed 18 points against the Loggers. On the other end of the court, Puget Sound recieved a stat-stuffing effort from Nadev Heyman who finished the game with 16 points four rebounds, four assists and three steals.

The Missionaries were allowed little time to rest following their win-at-all-costs weekend: The Whitworth Pirates came to Walla Walla Tuesday, bringing with them a 20-game winning streak, seventh overall ranking in Division III Men’s Basketball and an undefeated conference record.

As the game started it seemed as though Whitman might be able to defeat the conference heavyweight. The two highest scoring teams in the Northwest Conference combined for only three points during the game’s first seven minutes, an incredible defensive feat. Shaw and Raher cheered their teammates from the stands as the game unfolded, a double boiler of hive-mind defense and calculated offense with both teams playing very tight. The first half progressed, though, and Whitworth began to make buckets, something the Missionaries struggled with throughout Tuesday’s action. By halftime Whitworth had a 13-point advantage, which was also the final margin of victory.

The Missionaries did not go quietly into the night, reducing the deficit to eight on several occasions, but cold shooting from everyone except for Artis, who finished the last home game of the season with 32 points, would doom the Whitman men to also-ran status. Artis’ most important point may’ve been his first, a free throw fully 12 minutes into the first quarter that was also the first Missionary point.

The Whitworth men were led by the 20 points of hot-handed Wade Gebbers and Nate Montgomery’s 12 point, 13 rebound double double. Their final game is against Linfield College this Saturday, one day after the Missionaries finish their season Friday, Feb. 19, at Linfield as well. Whitman is 12-12 following Tuesday’s game, and is trying for a winning season for the first time in over a decade.