Box Score WALLA WALLA, Wash. – The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team opened the game on an 8-2 run and led for the first 8:40 of the game, but once Whitman College took the lead, the Blues never let it get away as they knocked off the Lutes 84-66 in Northwest Conference action.
 
Despite shooting over 50 percent from the field for much of the game, the Lutes found themselves down by 17 at the half after the Blues closed the first frame on a 39-19 run over the final 11 minutes. 
 
In the second half, the Blues extended their advantage to as many as 19 points in the early going, before PLU cut the advantage to 13.  The Blues refused to take their foot off the gas and built the lead back up to 23 with 5:38 left in the game. 
 
PLU's Achilles heel was turnovers as the Lutes coughed up the ball 26 times on the evening, many of which came against a vaunted Blue full-court press.  Junior Seth Hall shot led a balanced scoring effort with 18 points, including knocking down 4-of-6 from behind the three-point arc. 
 
Conor Geiger added 12, while Leighton Kingma produced a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.   Kelton Williams and Jordan Thomas both added nine points. 
 
PLU (4-7, 0-2 NWC) will return to Olson Gymnasium next weekend when they host Linfield College at 8:00 p.m. on Friday before welcoming George Fox University for a 6:00 p.m. tip on Saturday.