TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team is heading to Oregon this weekend for a showdown against Northwest Conference opponents Willamette and George Fox. It's the first of two straight weekend road trips to Oregon for the Lutes as the squad rolls into the final month of the regular season. 
 
The Lutes (6-12, 3-7 NWC) are coming off of a pair of setbacks against Northwest Conference opponents University of Puget Sound (83-61) and Linfield College (81-50). Carlton Brown was the leading scorer against the Loggers putting up 16 points in a game the Lutes outscored Puget Sound over the final 28 minutes of play. Against Linfield, freshman Jordan Thomas was one board away from a double-double scoring 19 points and collecting nine rebounds in a game that saw the Wildcats pull away in the second half after a tight opening 20 minutes of play. 
 
The Lutes will be looking for a spark from their offense to get the team back on track. Leighton Kingma has been the leading scorer for the Lutes this season, averaging 14.8 points per game. Kelton Williams has an impressive 68 assists on the season while also adding 10.0 ppg. Conor Geiger and Jordan Thomas are both averaging 9.6 ppg with Geiger pulling down a team-high 6.0 rebounds per game.
 
Willamette will bring some momentum to Saturday's matchup as they are coming off of a huge upset of the nationally ranked Whitworth University. The Bearcats won the game 95-93 and shot an impressive 60% from behind the three-point line. Stopping the Bearcats from long range could be a key for the Lutes on Saturday. 
 
For Saturday's matchup, the Bruins are coming off a tough 10-point loss to Lewis & Clark College. The George Fox men are currently sitting in fourth place in the Northwest Conference. 
 
A pair of victories this weekend would help the Lutes climb the conference ladder with just six games remaining in the regular season.
 
Feb. 1: PLU vs. Willamette in Salem, Washington (8 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes enjoy a 62-55 lead in the all-time series that first began during the 1951-1952 season. PLU has a chance to earn the season sweep after downing the Bearcats 70-64 back on Jan. 5 behind a 22-point effort from Carlton Brown. 
 
About the Bearcats: Willamette (6-13, 3-7 NWC) heads into Friday's tilt having won two of the last three. The Bearcats took down George Fox 88-74 on Jan. 19 before stumbling 120-78 to nationally-ranked Whitman College. The Bearcats quickly regrouped the following day, capitalizing on some hot shooting to take down Whitworth.
 
Four Bearcats average double figures with Jordan Jenkins leading the pack with 18.8 points per game. Jonathan Watts and Trent Callan add 11.4 and 11.3 ppg respectively, while Justus Eaglesmith offers 10.1 ppg. Jenkins additionally leads the team in both rebounds (9.5 per game) and assists (3.9 per game). 
 
Feb. 2: PLU vs. George Fox in Newberg, Oregon (6 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Bruins have met 48 times since the 1985-1986 season with PLU holding a 27-21 advantage in the all-time series. GFU took the first meeting this season back on Jan. 4, emerging from Olson Gymnasium with an 84-74 victory. 
 
About the Bruins: George Fox (11-8, 5-5 NWC) raced out to a 4-0 start to league play but have struggled since, dropping five of the last six. The Bruins outlasted Puget Sound 79-78 in overtime last Friday for the lone win during that stretch.
 
Mason Green-Richards and Ryan Lacey are the two main offensive cogs for the Bruins, averaging 19.1 and 17.4 ppg, respectively. Dylan Hamlett adds 9.8 ppg while hauling in a team-high 6.9 rebounds per game.