SPOKANE, Wash. – Jake Holtz scored 26 points and Garrett Long added 20 to lead Whitworth to an 84-69 win over visiting East Texas Baptist University in the Pirates' men's basketball season opener on Tuesday morning.
The Pirates outscored the Tigers (0-2) 46-33 in the second half.
The game was played in front of a house full of fourth and fifth graders from the Spokane Public School's District 81.
"It was a really special event," said Whitworth head coach Damion Jablonski. "There was an incredible amount of energy and I'm really grateful that the community was so involved like that."
Colton Looney's three-pointer gave the Pirates their largest lead of the first half (24-20) with just over eight minutes to go. But that came amidst a personal 18-point scoring run from ETBU's Jason Justice. His three pointer put the Tigers up 34-30 with 4:34 to go. Whitworth trailed by three points in the final minute before the Bucs got five straight points by Holtz, including a three-pointer just before the buzzer, to take a 38-36 lead at halftime. ETBU made 61.5% of its shots (16-26) in the first half.
The Pirates outscored the Tigers 12-3 to open the second half, going ahead 50-39 on Stephen Behil's three-pointer. The lead reached a dozen (54-42) before ETBU fought back, again led by Justice. He started the comeback with a three-pointer and cut the margin to 55-52 with a driving layup. Colin Roberts converted a three-point play to tie the game 60-60 with 8:10 to play and he made a pair of free throws to give the Tigers a 64-63 lead two minutes later. It would be ETBU's only lead of the half as Whitworth finished on a 21-5 run. Jake Holtz scored ten straight points for Whitworth to put the Pirates ahead 73-66. A Diego Jaques driving layup with 1:44 to play put the game away (78-66). After the Pirates allowed ETBU to make over 60% in the first half, the Tigers made 40% (10-25) after halftime.
"I was proud of the way our guys adjusted and showed a lot more toughness," Jablonski said.
Holtz finished the game 11-16 from the field and 3-4 at the free throw line. He also led the Pirates with eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Long scored ten points in each half, while Jaques scored 11 of his 14 in the second period. Whitworth shot 55.2% from the field in the game and outrebounded ETBU 32-25.
"Jake was spectacular," Jablonski said. "And Garrett, Diego and Ty Edwards made winning plays down the stretch. It was great to see the team come together to close out the game."
Justice led the Tigers with 25 points, making 10-21 from the floor. Michael Roberts finished with 13 points and a team-high five boards. Colin Roberts totaled 11 points.
Whitworth will return to action on Thursday night, hosting Benedictine.
