Box Score
Belton, TX— The Whitworth University men's basketball team held off every McMurry charge and the Pirates put the game away from the free-throw line late in a 90-79 victory over the War Hawks in an NCAA Division III National Championships First Round game Friday night in Belton. Whitworth improves to 25-3 on the season with the victory. The loss ends McMurry's year at 20-9.
The game was a see-saw affair through the first half with Whitworth holding just a 41-37 halftime lead despite shooting 57 percent in the first half. The Pirates opened the second half with a 14-8 run to take the lead to double figures. McMurry chipped away and cut the lead to four at 71-67 with 4:56 remaining. Whitworth stretched the lead back to nine points before the War Hawks once again closed to four at 78-74 with 2:34 left to play. Whitworth answered with a 9-2 run to put the game out of reach and the Pirates iced the win from the charity stripe.
Felix Friedt had a huge night to lead Whitworth, pouring in a game-high 35 points. Idris Lasisi added 15 points and eight rebounds and Wade Gebbers also reached double figures with 11. The Pirates shot 54 percent from the field and out rebounded McMurry 41-38.
Alfred Perez topped McMurry with 20 points and he also pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds. Steven Jones added 17 points and Jaden Isler chipped in 10. The War Hawks shot 38 percent from the field and went just 2-21 from three-point range.
Whitworth will now advance to the Second Round tomorrow to face Trinity University in a 7:00 PM tip-off. The winner of that moves on to the Sectional Tournament. McMurry was playing its final basketball game as a member of Division III. The War Hawks transition to Division II next season.
