Whitworth wins conference opener

Jessica Kramer hit 8 of 12 shots and finished with a career-high 19 points and added seven rebounds as the 15th-ranked Whitworth women opened Northwest Conference basketball play with a 68-48 win over Willamette Friday in Salem, Oregon.

The Pirates used a 24-4 run, spanning both halves, to take control.

Whitworth’s Lexie Zappone chipped in 15 points and four steals and Katara Belton-Sharp chipped in 13 points.

The Pirates dominated down low and finished with a 40-16 advantage in the paint. They also forced 21 turnovers, which led to a 25-11 differential in points off turnovers.

Jojo DeLong led the Bearcats (5-5, 0-1) with 16 points and six assists.

The Pirates (10-0, 1-0) play Lewis & Clark in Portland today.

North Idaho 80, Trinity Western 72: Kara Staggs poured in 35 points to guide the Cardinals (11-5) past the Spartans (7-10) in a nonconference game at Christianson Gym in Coeur d’Alene.

Staggs made 10 of 17 shots from the floor, 3 of 8 3-pointers and 12 of 13 free throws.

NIC’s Bailey Schroeder added 13 points and Mariah Swanson chipped in 12.

The teams play again today in Coeur d’Alene.

Men’s basketball

Christian Jurlina had 17 points and nine rebounds and Taylor Farnsworth added 14 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks as Whitworth outscored Willamette 9-0 in the final 3 minutes and beat the Bearcats (2-8, 0-1) 64-56 in a Northwest Conference opener in Salem, Oregon.

Whitworth’s Kenny Love added 15 points and George Valley chipped in 12 points and 12 rebounds.

The Pirates (8-2, 1-0), who won their seventh straight, play at Lewis & Clark in Portland today.