SU fell behind after a huge run in the first half by Whitworth University and could not recover, falling 77-57 at home Tuesday. 

Free throws ruled the first half as the teams took 37 free throws in the opening frame alone. Whitworth took the bulk of them and earned 18 points from the charity stripe. Southwestern struggled to get in a rhythm offensively with all the stoppage of play and scored just eight field goals in the first half.

With the game tied 8-8 with 12 minutes to play, Whitworth kicked off a 26-3 run to go up by 23, 34-11, with five minutes remaining in the half. Southwestern tried to get back in the game and seemed to have them momentum on their side heading into the break after Ben Stiver's three in the corner with four seconds remaining. He was fouled on the play and converted on the free throw to pull SU within 16. Not to be outdone, Whitworth got the ball in their half of the court and Derek Isaak drained a three from six feet beyond the arc to send WU into the break up 19, 46-27.

The deficit proved to be insurmountable in the second half as Southwestern could only pull within 13 points before falling 77-57

Southwestern shot just 29.8% from the floor and 33.3% from three point range while Whitworth went 43.9% from the field and 27.8% from three point range. Ben Stiver led the Pirates with 12 points off the bench, going a perfect 4-4 from the field and 3-3 from three point range, 1-1 from the free throw line. Christian Jurlian posted a game high 17 points to lead Whitworth.

The Pirates were out-rebounded 51-34 in the loss but committed just 12 turnovers.

SU falls to 1-4 on the year while Whitworth improves to 4-2 overall. Southwestern hits the road for two more games before the holidays, facing SUNYIT first at the Trinity Invitational in San Antonio on Friday at 3 p.m.