TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team is preparing for its final home game of the calendar year, welcoming Benedictine University to Olson Gymnasium on Friday night. 
 
The Benedictine Eagles are coming to the Pacific Northwest on a two game win streak. They will take on the University of Puget Sound Loggers tonight before coming to Olson tomorrow. The Eagles are also fresh off an exhibition matchup against last year's Division I final four participant Loyola University Chicago. 
 
The Lutes (3-3) will be coming into the game well rested as the last time they were on the court was Dec. 8th against Northwest Christian University. 
 
We talked to freshman, Jordan Thomas and asked him what a typical off day might look like. 
 
"An off day is usually rare", said Thomas, "But when there is one I like to take the time to let my body rest. Since I have the time, I like to walk down the street and grab some teriyaki chicken where I take it back to my room and watch Netflix."
 
Off the court, Thomas is majoring in sociology with hopes of going into law enforcement. The freshman from Chehalis, Washington described his first year so far. 
 
"My overall experience thus far has been good! There have been ups and downs, just like any other season. There's something special here, it will just take time to show it." 
 
On the court, Thomas has been a key player for the Lutes, averaging 8.5 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per game. Thomas best outing so far has been a 12-point, 11-rebound effort in the Lutes' 84-75 win over the University of Puget Sound in the Northwest Conference opener back on Nov. 27. 
 
As far as this week goes, Thomas said, 
 
"I expect us to showcase a different style of defense during parts of the game, this is something that we've implemented since our last game."
 
Dec. 21: PLU vs. Benedictine in Olson Gymnasium (7 p.m.)

Series History: This will be the first all-time meeting between the Lutes and Eagles. 
 
About the Eagles: Benedictine (4-5, 3-3 NACC), NCAA Division III Tournament runner-ups in 2016, head west after dropping an exhibition game 75-47 to Final 4 qualifier Loyola Chicago on Tuesday. 
 
Prior to the exhibition, the Eagles had won three of their last four. collecting wins at the expense of Kalamazoo College (69-62), Dominican University (86-57) and Concordia University Chicago (85-65). BenU's lone blemish during that stretch was a 70-52 setback to NACC rival Edgewood College on the road.
 
Eric Grygo paces the Eagles in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 15.2 points per game and 10.7 rebounds per game. Michael Johnson adds 12.0 ppg while Kenny Bogus chips in 10.6 ppg and 4.4 assists per game.