TACOMA, Wash. - It was a night of celebration for the sixth-ranked Puget Sound Loggers as they clinched the 2008-09 Northwest Conference Championship with an 81-71 win over the visiting Whitworth Pirates, 81-71, in a NWC men's basketball game on Friday evening in Tacoma, Wash.

With the student section a sea of white, the two teams battled for much of the first half. The Loggers used a 14-0 run from the 9:52 mark to the 6:27 mark to pull ahead by 14, 32-18, but the Pirates quickly fought back to pull back within seven, 32-25. Puget Sound was able to use another late push to take a 38-27 halftime lead.

It was the same kind of story in the second half, as the Loggers reached a 14-point lead again with 15:10 to play. Whitworth was able to fight back, getting within five points with 8:16 to play and four points with 3:34 left. With the crowd roaring, the Loggers stopped the Pirates right there, collecting the 81-71 victory to win the NWC title.

By virtue of Linfield's win at Lewis & Clark on Friday night, the Loggers have clinched not only an outright title but also home-court advantage throughout the NWC tournament.

The Loggers were led in scoring by senior Robert Krauel (Phoenix, Ariz./North Canyon), who finished with 19 points on the night. Fellow senior Jason Foster (Spanaway, Wash./Henry Foss) had a career game, putting up 16 points, 14 rebounds and nine blocks to fall just short of the triple-double. Antwan Williams (Portland, Ore./Madison) added 10 points with three assists and three steals in the winning effort.

Whitworth was led by 19 points from Time Sellereit, who connected on seven-of-eight free throws for the Bucs. Calvin Jurich added 17 points while Nate Montgomery and David Riley finished with 14 and 12 respectively.

The Loggers will return to the hardwood on Saturday evening when they play host to Whitman. Tip-off with the Missionaries is set for 6:00 p.m. at Memorial Fieldhouse in Tacoma, Wash.

Box Score