PORTLAND, Ore. - Shooting just 20 percent from the field in the second half Saturday night, Pacific Lutheran let a halftime lead slip away in a 71-59 Northwest Conference men's basketball loss to Lewis & Clark at Pamplin Sports Center.

Those second half shooting woes contributed to the Lutes dropping to 4-12 overall and 2-5 in the conference, while the Pioneers improved to 11-6 overall and 5-3 in the NWC.

Pacific Lutheran shot 56 percent (13-for-23) in the opening half to take a 37-33 lead into the break, but it all fell apart quickly in the final 20 minutes. The host Pioneers got consecutive three-point baskets from Dexter Pearce and James Hollins to open the half to take a 39-37 advantage, and they never again trailed.

The Lutes kept the game within range for about 10 minutes, but when Hollins hit a pair of free throws to make it 54-44, Lewis & Clark maintained a double-digit lead throughout the rest of the contest.

Hollins led all players with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Pearce added 18 points and Ross Erickson 17 points and nine rebounds for the winners. L&C shot 47 percent (25-for-53) overall, 38 percent (8-for-21) from three-point range, and also held a 36-28 rebounding advantage.

Drew Earnest was 5-for-9 from the field to lead the Lutes wih 14 points, followed by Daniel Landram with 12 and Cameron Schilling with 10.

PLU shot just 36 percent (19-for-53) overall and 17 percent (2-for-12) from beyond the arc.

The Lutes return to conference action at 8 p.m. tomorrow when they play the George Fox Bruins in Newberg, Ore.

- PLU -