PARKLAND, Wash. – Pacific Lutheran ended a 32-game men's basketball losing streak to Whitworth in emphatic fashion with a 84-59 win over the visiting Pirates on Friday night in Olson Auditorium.

The Pirates (6-4 overall, 4-1 NWC) struggled to shoot the ball the entire game, allowing the Lutes (5-0, 5-0) to earn their first win over Whitworth since Jan. 15, 2005.  The Bucs made only 30.8% (20-65) of their shots, the exact same percentage of their three pointers (8-26) and 58% (11-19) of their free throws.

With the teams tied 10-10 early in the first half, PLU used an 11-1 run to open a 21-11 lead.  The Lutes went on to lead 33-21 at halftime, Whitworth's lowest scoring half since 2015.  PLU forced 12 Pirate turnovers in the opening period and outscored the Bucs 11-0 in points off turnovers.

The Lutes essentially put the game away in the first four minutes of the second half, outscoring Whitworth 13-0 to open a 46-21 lead.  PLU took its largest advantage at 57-29 with 11:29 to play.  The Pirates got as close as 68-51 with four minutes left on a pair of Rowan Anderson free throws.

Garrett Paxton led Whitworth with 13 points, while Anderson and Tanner Fogle scored 11 apiece.  Liam Fitzgerald had six rebounds.

The Pirates finished with 18 turnovers.  PLU had a 42-39 edge in rebounds.

Seth Hall, who came into the game as the NWC's leading scorer, led the Lutes with 31 points.  Jordan Thomas posted a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds.  PLU made 50% of its shots from the floor (29-58) and 44% (7-16) of their three-pointers. 

The teams will play each other again on Saturday night at 8:00 pm.