NEWBERG, Ore. - Eric Beal scored a career-high 30 points to lead visiting Whitworth University to a 98-88 win at George Fox University on Saturday night at Wheeler Sports Center in a victory that clinched at least a share of the Northwest Conference men's basketball title for the Pirates. Whitworth won its 18th consecutive game to improve to 19-2 overall and 12-0 in the NWC. The Bucs clinched a share of the title after second-place Linfield fell to 8-4 in the NWC following a home loss to Willamette tonight. For the eighth time in 12 NWC games, Whitworth never trailed in the contest. Beal scored 15 of his points in the first half to help the Pirates grab a 49-38 halftime lead. David Riley's three-pointer gave Whitworth its first double-digit lead at 15-5 and Felix Friedt scored inside to put the Bucs ahead 28-15 almost nine minutes into the game. But the Bruins (10-11 overall, 7-5 NWC) rallied to within 28-26 after a three-pointer by Travis Toedtemeier. Whitworth responded with nine straight points, including the first four from Beal, to retake a double-digit advantage. George Fox could not pull within double digits again in the second half until less then 30 seconds were left in the game and the contest was already decided. The Pirates eventually stretched the lead to as many as 18 points on three different occasions. The first came after Jack Loofburrow made two free throws to give the Bucs a 62-44 advantage and the final time came after Beal's fourth three-pointer of the night stretched the lead to 77-59 with 8:33 to play. The Pirates were the model of efficiency on Saturday, shooting 56% (28-50) from the floor and 45.5% (10-22) from three-point range. Whitworth managed to get to the free throw line 41 times and made 32 attempts. As if to emphasize the point, the Pirates scored 49 points in each half. Beal tied a career-high with nine assists to go along with his career-high 30 points He was 14 of 17 from the free throw line. Nate Montgomery earned his seventh double-double of the season and finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds. David Riley added 13 points, while Bo Gregg came off of the bench for 11 points. Felix Friedt was the fifth Pirate in double figures with 10 points. Rich Smith led the Bruins with 19 points and Alex Stockner added 15 points and eight rebounds. Stephen Wisely and Evan Atwater scored 11 each for George Fox. Whitworth can clinch the outright NWC title next weekend when the Pirates host Puget Sound (Friday) and Pacific Lutheran (Saturday).
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