FOREST GROVE, Ore. — No. 25 Whitman won a physical battle with host Pacific on Saturday night, claiming a 91-74 Northwest Conference men's basketball victory at the Stoller Center.

The Missionaries moved to 11-2 on the season and to 3-1 in the NWC---their only loss coming at the hands of No. 2 Whitworth last Tuesday. Pacific fell to 8-5 overall and to 2-2 in league action. They also fell to the Pirates on Friday night.

Tim Howell scored 25 points, including a rush of baskets early in the second half to put distance between his team and their hosts. He hit seven of ten shots from the floor and 9 of 12 from the free throw line.

The two teams traded blows for most of the first half. K.C. Harrison hit three free throws after being fouled on a trey attempt with 4:08 left before intermission, and the clubs were tied at 29-29.

But Whitman answered with a 9-0 run, featuring a pair of three pointers by Christian McDonald from NBA range to close the half, giving WC a 45-32 lead at the break. Howell then took over after the break, scoring back-to-back three's in the first 1:15, capping a 22-3 Whitman run. Howell, a 6-1 sophomore guard, had eight points during that run.

Midway through the second half, the Boxers would go on a 10-0 run to cut the margin to 12 points (74-62), but they would get no closer the rest of the evening.

Harrison led the Boxers with a career high 23 points. DeVon Pouncey had a season best as well, coming off the bench to score 18 points on eight-of-ten shooting. Pouncey also led the Boxers with six rebounds. Michael Joseph added 11 points.

McDonald supported Howell's output with 18 points as the Missionaries hit 58 percent of their shots from the field. Montez White added 13 points and Tochi Oti had 12.

Pacific will hit the road next weekend, taking on Puget Sound on Friday and Pacific Lutheran on Saturday.