SPOKANE, Wash. ­– Freshman Carson Bonine's career-high 17 points were not enough for the Linfield Wildcats, who lost their first Northwest Conference game of the season to the Whitworth Pirates, 98-95, at Whitworth Field House on Friday night.

"I'm so proud of our guys. Their preparation, engagement and effort were fantastic tonight," said Wildcats coach Shanan Rosenberg. "Austin Hilton, despite foul troubles, played exceptional. Carson Bonine really was huge for us as well."
 
The first half was an explosion of offense from both sides. Linfield and Whitworth both shot over 50 percent in the opening frame. An administrative technical against the Wildcats gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead prior to the opening tip.
 
During the first seven minutes, Linfield held the narrow 16-15 lead. Austin Hilton came out ready to go, scoring six points early and hitting three of his first four shots. A Dempsey Roggenbuck three-pointer and followed by an Aaron Baune four-point play gave Linfield a five-point edge halfway through the first.
 
Whitworth came roaring back behind the game of Sam Lees' career. The Kiwi contributed a career-high 27 points with nine rebounds and three assists and tied the game with three minutes left in the half. Bonine converted one of his three three-pointers to put the Wildcats back on top, before Isaiah Hernandez made a layup to bring Whitworth back on top, 44-43, at the break. It was only the second time this season the Pirates have trailed at the half.
 
Grant Gibb opened up the second half with seven straight points, but Hilton commited his fourth foul and was forced to sit for much of the final period. Garrett Paxton was lethal in the second half, scoring 10 of his 12 points. Lees gave Whitworth the lead again at the midway point of the half at 78-76.
 
Matt Berger had a big block and made a layup on the other end to take back the lead for the Wildcats, 82-80. Paxton scored another layup with a foul being committed by Tanner Autencio, his fourth, with seven minutes left.
 
In the last two minutes the teams continued to trade the lead back-and-forth. Bonine took the lead back for Linfield by scoring a layup with 16 seconds left, 95-94.
 
With 10.5 seconds remaining, Linfield committed a foul, sending Hernandez to the line. The guard converted both free throws and Whitworth was on top by one. After a timeout, the Wildcats committed a turnover on their own side of the court and then fouled Ben College. He sank both free throws to make the 98-95 in favor of the Pirates. Dempsey Roggenbuck missed a layup at the buzzer, ending the game.
 
"Our guys did a great job defending Ben College and many guys play really well," praised Rosenberg. "You have to give credit to a few of Whitworth's players who really stepped up tonight."

Roggenbuck and Bonine led the team with 17 points each. Seven of the eight players who were on the court for Linfield scored double-digit points. Autencio scored 10 points, grabbed seven rebounds and distributed six assists. Hull had 16 points for Whitworth and Hernandez had 13. College, a 2019 All-American, was held to seven points on 1-of-7 shooting.

"All our guys played their hearts out. It was unfortunate a few more situations didn't go our way," said Rosenberg. "We've set our minds on Whitman and are moving forward."
 
NEXT
Linfield (12-4, 6-1 in NWC) travels to Walla Walla to take on NWC leader Whitman (12-4, 7-0 NWC). Whitworth (13-4, 7-1 NWC) sits tied with Linfield for second place in the conference. Tipoff on Saturday is at 6 p.m. with live audo coverage beginning at 5:45.