TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team is preparing to welcome Linfield College to Olson Gymnasium on Saturday for a Northwest Conference showdown as the Lutes look to climb up the league ladder over the final seven games of the regular season. 
 
The Lutes (6-11, 3-6 NWC) are coming off of a tough traveling weekend where they suffered setbacks to fourth-ranked Whitman College and sixth-ranked Whitworth University. Freshman Jack Poling had a season-high 14 points against Whitman. This is a good sign for the Lutes, as the 6' 10" big man is showing promise to be a long time force in the post. Kelton Williams led the team in scoring against Whitworth, putting up 15 points. The team showed some promise owning a 30-26 halftime lead against the sixth-ranked Pirates. Glimpses of brilliance were shown and that leaves the team with something to build on moving forward. The team will also look to shake off a tough setback suffered at home on Tuesday against the University of Puget Sound. 
 
"My freshman year has been full of ups and downs, as any freshman for sure goes through, but it's been great being a part of the team," said Poling. "I feel that everyone has a close bond together and it makes it a lot of fun to be a part of. Personally, I've grown a lot as a player of course, but also a lot as a person. I've learned how to take care of myself and others from being on the team."
 
As the Lutes move into the latter half of their season, Poling shared some goals of the team. 
 
"A successful conclusion for us would be to make the NWC playoff bracket and hopefully keep winning from there"
 
The Wildcats sit alone in third place in the Northwest Conference standings and should provide a good test for the Lutes on Saturday. Saturday is also LuteFest. LuteFest is a night honoring all Lute alumni, donors, parents, family, and friends with an alumni game, a reception, and a game tipping off at 4 p.m. For more information, visit golutes.com/LuteFest19.
 
Jan. 26: PLU vs. Linfield inside Olson Gymnasium (6 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Wildcats rivalry dates back to the 1939-1940 season with PLU owning a 77-59 edge in the all-time series. Linfield has the upper hand in the rivalry in 2018-19, winning the first meeting 93-60 back on Nov. 30. 
 
About the Wildcats: Linfield (13-4, 6-2 NWC) heads into the weekend riding a modest two-game win streak. The Wildcats lone conference setbacks have come at the hands of the nationally-ranked Whits, stumbling 98-89 to Whitman and 78-75 to Whitworth. Linfield rebounded from the setbacks last week, rolling George Fox University 83-69 and Pacific University 105-83.
 
Dempsey Roggenbuck is Linfield's top offensive threat, averaging 19.6 points per game while Grant Gibb adds 12.5 ppg. Will Burghardt offers 12.2 ppg while Liam O'Reilly is the fourth Cat averaging in double figures, posting 10.6 ppg along with 5.3 rebounds per game.