PORTLAND, Ore. - Lewis & Clark scored the final 20 points of the first half and coasted to a 72-46 victory over visiting Pacific Lutheran in a Northwest Conference men's basketball game played Saturday night in Pamplin Sports Complex.

With the victory, the Pioneers (8-12 overall, 7-5 NWC) moved one game ahead of Pacific Lutheran (8-11, 6-6) and into a third-place tie with George Fox in the conference standings.

The Pioneers held a slim 21-19 lead with 6:55 left in the half when they took control of the contest by scoring the next 23 consecutive points, 20 to close out the period. James Hollins knocked down a trio of three-point bombs as he scored 14 points during the run.

After PJ Taylor hit a three to open up the second half, the Pios had established a comfortable 44-19 advantage. They led by as many as 29 points before settling for the 26-point win.

Gabe Smith led Pacific Lutheran with 12 points and Curtis Trondsen came off the bench to tally 11 points and grab a team-high five rebounds. The Lutes made just 18-of-53 shots (34 percent) from the field, including 4-of-16 (25 percent) from beyond the arc.

Lewis & Clark took 31 of its 55 total shots from outside the three-point line, making 12 of those (38 percent). Taylor led the Pios with 19 points, followed by Hollins with 17 and Josh Kollasch with 14. The hosts enjoyed a 40-33 rebounding advantage, Hollins leading the way with 13.

- PLU -