Pioneer LogLewis & Clark College’s Student-Run Newspaper

Whitman knocks men’s basketball out of playoffs

March 05, 2010

by Michael G. Richman

Single elimination means you only get one chance. The men’s basketball team lost to nationally ranked, no. five Whitworth 89-65 in the first semifinal game of the Northwest Conference playoffs last Thursday at the Whitworth Fieldhouse in Spokane, Wash.

The team battled for most of the first half, taking a 25-24 lead on a three by Tyler Tsukazaki (’10) with just over seven minutes to play in the first half.

But Whitworth, the eventual NWC tournament champions, closed out the first half with a dominant 18-3 run to head into halftime with a 42-28 advantage.

Whitworth maintained a comfortable lead throughout the second half, as LC could never get closer than 13 points. The lead swelled to as high as 27 and Whitworth remained unbeaten at home as it advanced to the championship game.

Kelly Edwards (’11) scored 20 to lead the Pios, James Hollins (’12) added 11 points and 12 rebounds, and Kyle Meeuwsen (’11) had 12 points, five boards and two blocks.

Whitworth center and NWC Player of the year Nate Montgomery had an impressive game, scoring 19 points to go along with 11 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.

Edwards, Hollins and Josh Kollasch (’10) were named second team all-NWC this week.

For an LC team that has relied on the three ball all year, it picked a bad night to go cold. The Pios shot just 2-18 in the second half against Whitworth as the game slipped out of reach.  Whitworth shot 56 percent from the field including over 40 percent from three for the game.

Whitworth capitalized on LC miscues all night, converting 15 Pio turnovers into 19 points on the other end.

Whitworth won the NWC championship game, crushing Puget Sound 97-75 Saturday night.
Ending the season 10-16 overall, the Pios  have a strong foundation to build the next season after losing only two seniors, Kollasch and Tsukazaki.