TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team will start its Northwest Conference schedule on Friday, making the trip across the mountains to face Whitworth University before taking on Whitman College on Saturday.

The Whitworth Pirates are 6-3 on the season but head into the conference opener on a two-game losing streak suffering losses against John Carroll and Wooster. Whitworth was ranked 14th in the nation in the latest NCAA national rankings. The Pirates were selected 3rd in the NWC pre season poll after finishing 2nd last year. 

The Lutes will take on Whitman on Saturday in Walla Walla. The Blues are 5-4 on the year and are currently on a two-game losing streak. Whitman was selected 1st in the NWC pre season poll and carry a talented roster. 

The Lutes are 4-5 on the season and look to build momentum after a dominant performance in which they defeated Northwest Indian College 109-73. Leighton Kingma led the team in scoring putting up 13 points.

"I don't know if I could narrow down to just one thing because I think there were a bunch of important revelations...We have the potential to be a really good defensive team led by Jordan Thomas who has shown a lot of versatility that you'll see more of this weekend," said Head Coach Chad Murray

"We have a lot of options offensively that I think we'll need as we go against the different defensive schemes in our conference. And then lastly, as a team I think we learned that we can't be as successful as we want unless we have everyone working together. Everyone on the same page, playing for each other"

The Lutes will begin their NWC schedule tomorrow in Spokane, Washington before closing the trip ion Saturday in Walla Walla.

Jan. 3: PLU vs. Whitworth in Spokane, Washington (8 p.m.)

Series History: The Pirates hold an 86-64 advantage in the all-time series dating back to 1946-47, including winning both encounters last season.

About the Pirates: Whitworth (6-3) opens NWC action looking to snap a two-game slide. The Pirates took down the University of Mary Washington 78-73 on Dec. 16 before heading to Ohio and coming up empty handed with a 95-89 setback against John Carroll University and an 87-82 defeat at College of Wooster.

Undefeated at home, Ben College is one of three Pirates averaging in double figures, leading the way with a 24.8 points per game average. Isaiah Hernandez adds 12.0 ppg with Jordan Lester contributing 11.4 ppg. Lester leads the team on the boards, grabbing 7.4 rebounds per game while also dishing out a team-best 4.4 assists per game.

Jan. 4: PLU vs. Whitman in Walla Walla, Washington (6 p.m.)

Series History: The all-time series is tilted 73-46 in favor of the Lutes since the series started in 1953-54 but the Blues hold a six game winning streak in the series.

About the Blues: Whitman (5-4) heads into league play having dropped its last three regular season games. The Blues crushed Johnson & Wales University 102-62 on Nov. 29 before dropping a 95-92 decision against Colorado College the following day. Whitman's struggles continued in Texas, falling 107-95 to University of Mary Hardin-Baylor on Dec. 27 before ending up on the wrong side of a 111-105 affair against LeTourneau University.

Four Blues average in double figures with Andrew Vickers pacing the squad, averaging 23.8 points per game. Darne Duckett adds 17.0 ppg while Jaron Kirkley and Trevor Osborne add 14.0 and 12.3 ppg, respectively. Robert Colton leads the team on the glass, averaging 7.3 rebounds per game with Vickers adding 6.1 per game.