TACOMA, Wash. - Kelton Williams, Jordan Thomas, and Leighton Kingma proved to be a three-headed monster on Friday night, each scoring a game-high 19 points as the Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team fended off Northwest Conference rival Lewis & Clark, 85-79, inside Olson Gymnasium. 

Friday's tilt featured eight lead changes and four ties. The homestanding Lutes (6-7, 3-2 NWC) enjoyed a 37-36 halftime advantage after Conor Geiger hit a layup with five seconds remaining. PLU's advantage would mushroom to a game-high 13 points with 13:59 remaining on a Williams layup but the pesky Pioneers (4-10, 0-5 NWC) refused to back down, reducing the gap to just two points with 9:14 left before taking a 73-71 lead with 4:43 remaining.

Zac Webb put the Lutes back on top the ensuing possession while Nasseen Gutierrez-Orozco drained a three the next time down on the court, part of an 8-0 Lute run to seize a seven-point advantage with 43 seconds remaining. Lewis & Clark pulled within four twice in the final 30 seconds but was unable to come any closer as PLU netted its second straight victory.

"It was a very similar game to Willamette and we were again able to find a way to win," said Head Coach Chad Murray. "We had some big performances from Jordan and the other starters. I thought our defense was great on Kyle Owens but we allowed some deeper paint touches and lost some shooters. That gave them the chance to stick around when we went up 13. I love the situations we've been in because they are building our confidence but also keeping us hungry to improve."

Williams hit six of his seven shots from the field, finishing with 19 points while Thomas added 19 points on an efficient seven-for-10 shooting. Kingma was the third Lute with 19, doing so on the strength of hitting three treys and eight of his 11 shots from the floor. Geiger did a little bit of everything in his first action since Dec. 31, scoring 13 points with a team-high nine rebounds and seven assists.

"Conor was fantastic tonight and had a tremendous all-around game for us."

PLU shot 55.8 percent (29-for-52) from the field including an impressive 60 percent (15-for-25) in the second half. PLU shot 50 percent (six-for-12) from three-point ranged while hitting more free throws (21) than Lewis & Clark had attempts (14). 

The Lutes return to the hardwood tomorrow night, facing Pacific University at 6 p.m.