Whitworth faces Puget Sound (again!) in second round of NCAA Tournament

Oh brother here we go again.

After beating the Claremont Scripps 81-63 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament for Div. III basketball, the Whitworth Pirates were reward with a matchup against the very team they beat to get into the tournament: Puget Sound. According to Whitworth SID Steve Flegel - they're familair with the team.

Last Saturday Whitworth knocked off then 3rd-ranked Puget Sound 90-80 in overtime in the championship game of the NWC tournament. Ross Nakamura scored a game-high 24 points, while Nate Montgomery posted 18 points and 18 rebounds, playing most of the second half and overtime with four fouls. David Riley (So., G, Palo Alto, Calif.) scored 18 points and hit three late three point shots that turned the tide back in Whitworth's favor. The win ended the Loggers' 19-game winning streak and it was the first loss of the season for UPS against a Division III opponent.

And even though Whitworth beat them in the NWC Tournament, for some odd reason Puget Sound will be hosting the game on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Fieldhouse. Phooey. Nobody ever said the NCAA was perfect.

So if you can make the trek, head on over and support the Bucs!

Gameday is here for Whitworth

Tonight is the night for the Whitworth Pirates. They're hosting a first round NCAA Tournament game against the Claremont Mudd Scripps in Spokane. And their riding the good feelings of beating No. 3 Puget Sound in overtime last Saturday. 

And since there's no college basketball going on tonight in the area - YOU SHOULD GO TO THE GAME! Seriously. Div. III postseason college basketball. What else are you going to do? Take notes during American Idol.

For more information on the game, which is super cheap to get into, head on over to Whitworth's Athletic site. 

And, this is a treat, here is the Div. III basketball tournament bracket. My inner sports nerd just crapped itself.

Whitworth is going dancing!

Better get your slippers ready because the Whitworth Pirates are going to the Big Dance! Here's the headline from SID Steve Flegel:

When it finally mattered most, Whitworth came through, as the visiting Pirates upset 3rd-ranked Puget Sound 90-80 in overtime on Saturday night in Memorial Fieldhouse to win the Northwest Conference men’s basketball tournament and pick up the NWC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.

A hot upset to get into the tournament? That usually leads to even more success and the Pirates are no strangers to the NCAAs as they've been their four times already. Looks like Spokane will be a busy city during March Madness time.