by Vince Ghirringhelli, UPS Sports Info

TACOMA, Wash. – Using a strong first half to build a 24 point advantage, the Wisconsin – Stevens Point Pointers ran away from the Whitworth Pirates 101-79 at Puget Sound Memorial Fieldhouse in the opening game of the 2009 Tip-Off Classic.

The Pointers got off to a hot start, opening up to an 18 point lead less than eight minutes in to the contest. Whitworth was able to pull within seven points with 6 minutes to play in the first half, but an assist by junior forward Nick Krull to senior guard Matt Moses for a three-pointer put the lead back at double digits for good. Moses led all scorers in the game with 31 points on 11-13 shooting, including 5-6 from long range.

At halftime, Stevens Point had a 20-5 rebounding advantage over the Pirates mostly due to the Pointers’ 78.6 percent shooting. The Pointers would finish with a 38-20 advantage in rebounds and shot 67.8 percent for the game.

Whitworth was led in scoring by sophomore forward Jack Loofburrow, who collected 18 points on the night. The Pirates’ dominant senior center Nate Montgomery had 17 points on 6-6 shooting, but was mostly ineffective defensively as he was held to two rebounds and zero blocks.

Whitworth struggled to keep the Pointers out of the key, giving up 46 points in the paint for the game to the Pirates’ 30.

With just under nine minutes remaining, Stevens Point sent in the reserves up 37 points and coasted to the victory.

The Pirates will face UC-Santa Cruz tomorrow night at 4:00 p.m., while Stevens Point will close out the Tip-Off Classic facing the host Loggers at 8:00 p.m.

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