McMINNVILLE, Ore.  No opponent or gym has more conflicted Whitman during what grew to a 31-game Northwest Conference winning streak here Friday than Linfield at Ted Wilson Gymnasium, where the Blues have struggled to find that extra gear which distinguishes them from basically everyone else in Division III.

Except for Whitman sophomore Trevor Osborne. This is his happy place.

Osborne was six for six on 3-pointers, led all scorers with 20 points, and gave the top-ranked Blues the jolt they desperately needed in their latest McMinnville coup, an 82-78 triumph that marked the second-closest victory margin in a regular-season NWC winning streak that stretches back to 2015.

Only a 67-65 victory here last year on Feb. 4 was closer.

That win was a frantic comeback which required a 7-0 Whitman run to end the game, whereas Friday's contest was a taut test of defensive wills. Whitman never flinched at that end; at the other, it waited out what seemed like a lidded basket until someone -- Osborne -- hit some shots.

"When we wanted to go to our most aggressive press, we had to have Trevor out there," Whitman head coach Eric Bridgeland said. "When we had to get a stop, it was 'Let's get Trevor in there.' And oh yeah, he can also shoot. He adds value in so many places."

On a night when its two leading scorers combined to make just eight of 26 shots, Whitman prevailed because it does not -- and has not, during this era -- rely on a star system.

Despite being out-shot and out-rebounded, and despite missing 16 free throws, Whitman (16-0, 7-0 in NWC) refused to fold. It led by as many as 10 points inside the final 10 minutes and by as few as three, but made 15 of its last 17 free throws.

Jaron Kirkley was four of four for 10 points off the bench.

Austin Butler had 14 points and game highs in rebounds (nine), offensive rebounds (five), assists (five), and steals (four).

"That's why it's a team sport," said Bridgeland. "We're a team. We had so many guys give great contributions. Austin was phenomenal. And our guys really locked it down at the line in the second half. We put in a lot of work there last week, and it showed tonight."

The Blues clawed their way to a 34-30 halftime advantage despite an offensive flow that had all the ease and elegance of a molar extraction. Five of 14 at the free throw line, 10 turnovers against six assists -- and still, a lead.

"Our defense was keeping us in it," said Bridgeland. "It has been so good. It gave us a shot.

"Linfield is good," he added. "Really, really good."

Six of the Wildcats' eight made 3-pointers came in the second half, which saw five lead changes and three ties in its first 10 minutes. A free throw by Butler gave Whitman the lead for good, 45-44, during an 8-0 run that stretched the lead to seven. But Linfield countered with consecutive 3s.

A steal and run-out layup by Joey Hewitt made it 53-50, Whitman. Osborne hit two free throws, then answered a Linfield basket with a 3-pointer for a 58-52 lead.

Hewitt countered a Wildcat 3 with one of his own, and Kirkley dabbed into the paint and went glass on a leaner for a 63-55 bump with 7:56 to go.

The lead reached its apogee during a 6-0 Whitman run that started with Osborne's sixth 3-pointer and ended with Tim Howell's basket in transition, set up by a Hewitt steal.

Linfield (11-4, 5-2) closed to within three points twice inside the final 20 seconds, but Howell (with 17 seconds left) and then Hewitt (with seven remaining) made free throws in response.

Hewitt and Howell had 13 points apiece for the winners, who visit up-and-coming Willamette at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

Notes: Whitman entered Friday's game with an average victory margin of 28.3 points per game, first in the country among Division III men's teams. The Blues also came into the weekend ranked second nationally in steals per game, second in turnovers forced per game, tied for fourth in offensive rebounds per game, 32nd in assists per game and 44th in blocked shots per game … Butler entered the Linfield game ranked fifth and Hewitt ranked 10th in the nation in steals per game. Butler is tied for 43rd, nationally, in blocked shots per game … Willamette lost to Whitworth by two points on Friday. The Bearcats (8-8) already have three NWC victories after winning just twice in conference last season.