TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team will host Northwest Conference rivals Lewis & Clark College and Pacific University this weekend to close out a four-game homestand inside Olson Gymnasium. The Lutes host the Pioneers on Friday night at 8 p.m. before facing off against Pacific on Saturday at 6 p.m.
 
The Lutes (5-7, 2-2 NWC) are coming off of a thrilling win at home last Saturday against Willamette University, defeating the Bearcats 70-64. Freshman Carlton Brown, led the way for the Lutes, putting up 22 points. The guard added five assists during his impressive 40 minute performance. Sophomore Kelton Williams also played all 40 minutes showcasing impressive grit and conditioning. 
 
"Our preparation for this weekend has been really intense so far. Everyone has been locked in between film, practice, and individual workouts. The team is trying to build off of a great weekend and looking forward to being at full strength going forward" said Brown.  

"I expect the next two games coming up to be very high paced and high scoring games. Some fatigue comes with playing back to back days but I think our preparation and mindset right now as a team can help us get the job done this weekend."
 
Brown along with the rest of the Lutes were able to soak in a training session at the Los Angeles Clippers practice facility while the team was in southern California in late December. 
 
"The trip to the LA Clippers practice facility was a rare and exciting experience for everybody. We got to see what kind of incredible resources professional teams have. We got to tour the weight room, film room, and athletic training room. Practicing on a professional sized court was also a big highlight of the trip. It was definitely an experience that we can all remember and talk about for a long time."
 
Jan. 11: PLU vs. Lewis & Clark at Olson Gymnasium (8 p.m.)
 
Series History: The Lutes and Pioneers have met 128 times on the hardwood since the series began during the 1938-1939 season with PLU holding a 69-59 edge in the all-time series. 
 
About the Pioneers: Lewis & Clark (4-9, 0-4 NWC) return to Washington for the second consecutive weekend and look to nab its first victory of the conference season. 
 
Last weekend the Pios played a pair of Top 10 teams, suffering an 89-77 setback to ninth-ranked Whitworth University before stumbling 117-52 at the hands of fourth-ranked Whitman College.
 
Four Pios come into tonight averaging in double figures with Kyle Owens leading the way with a 12.4 points per game average. Zeke Crawford adds 11.2 ppg while Daelon Floyd and Mak Hutson chip in 10.7 ppg and 10.2 ppg, respectively. 
 
Crawford paces L&C on the boards, averaging 7.8 rebounds per game.
 
Jan. 12: PLU vs. Pacific at Olson Gymnasium (6 p.m.)
 
Series History: This Lutes have dominated the all-time series, winning 86 of the 105 encounters since the series began during the 1939-1940 season. The Boxers had the upper hand last season, winning both meetings. 
 
About the Boxers: Pacific's (6-8, 0-4 NWC) high-octane offense heads to Tacoma still searching for its first victory of the conference slate. The Boxers lead the NWC in scoring, averaging 105.7 points per game while hitting a league-best 176 treys on the year.
 
Pacific was unable to dig out of a 12-point halftime deficit on Tuesday, falling 113-98 to Willamette University at home. 
 
Marcus Wallace is the Boxers' top offensive threat, averaging 21.3 points per game while Bevin Brown and Davis Holly add 17.4 ppg and 13.1 ppg, respectively.