By Christian Bond, PLU Sports Information Student Writer
LAS VEGAS – A strong passing performance and late free throws helped the Pacific Lutheran men's basketball team fend off a late push from Mary Hardin-Baylor as the Lutes beat the Crusaders 77-74 in their first game of the D3hoops.com Classic.
In a game that saw six ties and eight lead changes, advantages were tough to come by. The Lutes accumulated 18 assists, and had nine different players contribute to a 77 point total. Each team had 39 rebounds, but the PLU gained an advantage with 14 second-chance points compared to the Crusaders' eight. PLU also shot 38 percent (8-of-21) from three-point range, besting the 21 percent (4-of-19) performance by Mary Hardin-Baylor.
"That team has been in the national tournament several years in a row; they play fast, and we got sucked into their game," PLU head coach Steve Dickerson said. "There was a stretch in the game where we turned the ball over, and missed the front end of three one-and-ones when we could have put the game away. We have to be the one that dictates the tempo of the game. We did that in the second half and it turned out well for us."
The dynamic duo of Brandon Lester and Dylan Foreman combined for 41 points in the winning effort. Lester was nearly perfect from the free throw line, making six of seven attempts. He also shot 6-of-15 from the field for a total of 20 points. Foreman got it done from three-point range, sinking four of his eight attempts. Foreman was 5-of-6 from the free throw line and contributed 21 points for his sixth straight 20-point performance.
Bryce Miller had a double-double for the Lutes with 11 points and 10 rebound, and he filled up the stat sheet with six assists, three blocks and two steals. Miller was joined in the post by Jared Christy, who gathered eight rebounds to go with eight points and four assists in his first start for the Lutes.
"We just thought Jared had earned the right to start," Dickerson said. "He has been playing really well, and it was going to happen soon enough. He rebounds well and makes great defensive plays. He's only going to get better."
PLU built a 45-39 halftime advantage and led by as many as 11 points when a Foreman three-pointer made it 54-43 with 16:59 to play. Mary Hardin-Baylor rallied to pull within four with just under 12 minutes remaining, and the Crusaders made it a two-point game at 72-70 with 1:10 to go. Four straight points helped PLU all but put it away at 76-70 as the Lutes held on for the three-point win.
After improving to 8-2 this season, the Lutes will square off against Wisconsin-Stout Tuesday at 6 p.m. in PLU's final game at the D3hoops.com Classic.
"I'm looking for our guys to do what we do, and play another great game tomorrow," Dickerson said.
