L-C falls to Whitworth at Wildhorse tourney
Copyright of The Lewiston Morning Tribune

WALLA WALLA -- Being the taller team didn't seem to help Lewis-Clark State in an upset loss Friday night to Whitworth of Spokane.

The Warriors struggled with the Pirates' guard-heavy lineup and lost 51-46 in the first round of the Wildhorse Resort tournament at Whitman College.

Lewis-Clark State, ranked 14th in the NAIA, shot only 2-for-12 from 3-point range and 14-of-26 from the foul line.

"We didn't pass the ball very well into the post," Warriors coach George Pfeifer said. 'We missed opportunities and threw opportunities away."

Lewis-Clark State (7-4) plays a consolation game against Whitman at 5 p.m. today. The hosts lost their opener to Northwest College.

Kevin Wyatt scored 13 points and J.J. Jones added 12 for the Pirates (2-3). Jones scrambled for nine rebounds as Whitworth outrebounded the taller Warriors 33-30.

It didn't help that L-C post James Idoko fouled out after only 10 minutes of backup duty, scoring two points and two rebounds.

The Pirates slowed the tempo despite the use of a five-guard lineup, sometimes using their No. 5 man to hold the ball at the point. "We weren't going to chase him to half-court," Pfeifer said.

Pfeifer counted four missed layins in L-C transition opportunities, and the Warriors twice went 1-for-2 at the foul line while trailing by two points late in the game.

Skyler Wilson of L-C turned an ankle and isn't expected to play today.

Former LCSC player Lance Pecht scored nine points for Whitworth. George Tucker made three steals.

WHITWORTH (2-3)

Jones 4-11 3-4 12, Pecht 2-7 4-4 9, Williams 1-5 2-3 5, Young 1-6 2-2 5, Bennett 0-0 0-0 0, Wyatt 0-0 0-0 0, Tucker 4-11 5-7 13, Larkin 3-5 1-2 7, Fletcher 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 15-46 17-22 51.

LEWIS-CLARK STATE (7-4)

Bishop 2-3 1-2 5, Moore 2-4 1-2 5, Wilson 0-0 0-0 0, Brothers 3-4 5-9 11, Pitts 2-2 2-4 6, Allen 3-9 4-4 11, Jaekel 0-0 0-0 0, Fraser 1-6 0-2 3, Idoko 1-2 0-1 2, Tikker 1-5 1-2 3. Totals 15-37 14-26 46.

Halftime -- Whitworth 28, Lewis-Clark State 23. Total fouls -- Whitworth 21, Lewis-Clark State 21. Fouled out -- Larkin, Moore. Technical fouls -- none. 3-point goals -- Whitworth 4-13 (Jones 1-2, Pecht 1-2, Williams 1-2, Young 1-6, Tucker 0-1), Lewis-Clark State 2-12 (Allen 1-5, Jaekel 0-2, Fraser 1-5). Rebounds -- Whitworth 33 (Jones 9), Lewis-Clark State 30 (Brothers 7). Assists -- Whitworth 5, Lewis-Clark State 6. A -- 100.