ALLIANCE, Ohio – Tired legs on defense for Whitworth led to easier second half baskets for Roanoke as the Maroons defeated the Pirates 89-86 in Saturday's consolation game of the M Club Classic hosted by University of Mount Union.
The Pirates dropped to 0-2 while Roanoke went to 1-1. The game tipped off only 18 hours after the Bucs finished last night's opener against the home school.
Whitworth will play its home opener on Thursday against Sul Ross State at 7:00 pm.
The Bucs made 51.6% of their field goals in the first half, including 5-11 (45.5%) from three-point range, for a 41-34 lead at the break. Trailing 11-9, the Pirates used a 9-2 run to take an 18-13 lead, capped by JT McDermott's three-pointer. After Roanoke clawed back to a 25-25 tie, Whitworth scored seven straight points to go up 32-25 on Stephen Behil's three-pointer. Another McDermott three right before halftime extended the lead back to seven at the break.
Michael Smith's three-pointer just over two minutes into the second half gave Whitworth a 50-41 advantage, its largest lead of the game. The Pirates then went cold, scoring only four points over the next five and a half minutes. The Maroons took advantage by outscoring Whitworth 15-4 to go ahead 56-54. The teams traded leads over the next three minutes until Roanoke went ahead 67-63 on a three-point play by Joshua Morse. The Maroons took their largest lead at 83-74 with 3:14 to play. Whitworth got back within 85-81 on a Jake Holtz layup with just over one minute left, but could get no closer until Jerry Twenge hit the team's final three-pointer at the buzzer.
Roanoke made 57% (17-30) from the field in the second half and 18-24 (75%) free throws for 55 points after halftime.
Holtz led Whitworth with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Twenge had 18 points, eight boards and five assists. Smith scored 17 points, McDermott had 16 and Carson Talbert finished with ten as five Pirates reached double figures. The Pirates finished the game 34-65 (52.3%) from the field, 12-25 (48%) from beyond the arc. Whitworth only got to the free throw line seven times, making six.
Marcus Morgan scored 18 points and grabbed 10 boards to lead Roanoke. The Maroons finished with a 38-28 edge in rebounds.
