Kingsmen Fight Back, Fall to Whitworth

Kingsmen Fight Back, Fall to Whitworth

SPOKANE, Wash. — Cal Lutheran men's basketball was in a big hole after the first half, but fought back, outscoring Whitworth in the second, as they ultimately fell 71-56 on Tuesday night. 

The Pirates took a 31-10 lead just over midway through the first half. They increased that advantage to 46-22 in the second half. Cal Lutheran outscored the Whitworth 34-25, but were ultimately defeated and fell to 1-4 on the year. 

Whitworth shot 56.4-percent from the field and 33.3 from three-point range while holding Cal Lutheran to 40.4 and 25. 

The stats favored the Kingsmen as they had 13 turnover to the Pirates' 19. Cal Lutheran had more bench points, 23 to 13, and more steals, 10 to 8. The big difference in the game was points in the paint. Whitworth recorded 44 to Cal Lutheran's 22.  

Desi Burrage recorded a team high 14 points, on 6-10 shooting, and Devon Lewis was next with 10. Stephen Davis added nine with the rest of the Kingsmen offense being shut down.

Brock Susko had the most rebounds with four, Jacob Martin dished out the most assists with three and Susko, Burrage, Logan McCullough, and Miles Griffin had two steals each.

The Kingsmen opened the first half with a layup by Lewis. His shot was quickly followed by Susko, Burrage, Lojong Andarea Ladu, and Riley O'Connor. It was a tough first half as Whitworth had a 46-22 lead at the break.  

Cal Lutheran came back into the second half ready to make a comeback. The charge was led by McCullough, who was backed up by Davis, Burrage, Susko, Lewis, Griffin, Martin, and Bryce Friday. Even with their barrage that outscored the Pirates 34-25 it wasn't enough as Whitworth took the game.

The Kingsmen's next game will be against La Verne on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m.

Box Score: WU 71, CLU 56
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