TACOMA, Wash. - Zac Webb made the most of his final game in a Lute uniform, scoring 21 points but it wasn't enough as the Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team closed out the 2018-2019 season with a 96-78 setback to second-ranked Whitman College in a Northwest Conference tilt inside Olson Gymnasium.

"Our team is best when we show some scrappiness and when we understand how hard we need to play to compete. I think we learned that as the season progressed and we got the ultimate test tonight," said Head Coach Chad Murray. "There were a few moments in the game where we just couldn't quite make a dent in their lead. We had some opportunities that we created for ourselves through hard work. I told them in a timeout that they're really fun to watch when they're locked in like that. I think a lot of key guys know exactly what they need to do to push our program to the next level."

Webb, celebrating Senior Day as the only senior on the squad, finished nine-for-11 from the field, finishing with a game-high 21 points while also grabbing six rebounds. His production was one-shy of his previous career-high of 22, incidentally put up against Whitman during the 2017-2018 season. 

"Zac played well all year and established some strong relationships with the players that will hopefully last for years to come. He was productive on the floor when he was out there and I appreciated his hard work these last two seasons. We wish him all the best as he moves on from his playing days here at PLU."

The visiting Blues (24-1, 16-0 NWC) led wire-to-wire, scoring 10 of the game's opening 11 points and staking a 59-44 advantage at the halftime intermission. A lead that was as big as 18 shrunk to just seven off a Kelton Williams jumper with 18:13 left in the game, capping off a 13-2 run spanning both halves. The nationally-ranked Blues responded with consecutive threes and kept the homestanding Lutes (8-16, 5-11 NWC) at arm's length the rest of the way, capping off a perfect NWC slate with the 18-point win. 

Leighton Kingma matched Webb's effort, putting up 21 points along with four blocks while Williams finished with 15 points and five assists. Nasseen Gutierrez-Orozco added 12 points off the bench while Jordan Thomas had a game-high nine rebounds along with five points, five assists, three steals and three blocks.