TACOMA, Wash. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team will finish up its home slate of Northwest Conference games on Saturday, welcoming Willamette University to Olson Gymnasium. The Lutes have a 1.5 game lead as they hold the final playoff spot with three games to play. The Lutes will also be honoring their four seniors before Saturday's game. 

The Lutes (11-11, 7-6 NWC) have been in action three times in the past week, racking up two key wins over George Fox University and the University of Puget Sound while falling to Linfield College last Saturday. In the win over the crosstown rival on Tuesday night the Lutes were led by Jordan Thomas who finished with 23 points and nine rebounds including some clutch defensive plays down the stretch to allow the Lutes to prevail 63-62. Seth Hall also contributed 14 points in the effort for the Lutes and seniors Leighton Kingma (10 points) and Conor Geiger (7 points, 11 rebounds) played big roles. 

The Lutes will be honoring Kingma and Geiger on Saturday night along with fellow seniors Jacob Bingham and Kyle James. 

Leighton Kingma passed 1,000 career points earlier this season and will graduate as one of the best Lutes in recent memory. Kingma said that his favorite memory while on the team was "traveling down to Australia with my teammates, Snorkeling the great barrier reef and learning to surf with my teammates were two highlights I'll never forget." When asked about how he goes about being a leader on this year's team Kingma added that "I try to be coachable when I make mistakes and always try to give my full effort during practice or in competition." 

Conor Geiger, the second senior on this year's roster transferred in last year from Mount Hood CC and made an immediate impact for the Lutes. "My favorite memory isn't just one memory, but it's all the times we've come together in the locker room after a big win. I can't really explain the feeling I get other than amazing" said Geiger. With three games left in his senior season, Geiger is looking forward to "just enjoying the moment of these games. When I'm out there I have no worries or stresses, I know I've done the work to be there, all I have to do is perform." 

The Lutes third senior, Jacob Bingham transferred in from Southwest Oregon Community College and has been a three-point threat for the Lutes. Bingham said that his favorite memory while on the team has been "creating great relationships with my teammates on and off the court" this has also allowed Bingham to embrace a leadership role as he has "helped out the younger players by leading by example."

Kyle James, the Lutes fourth senior, has been with the program for the past five seasons. A Geoscience major from Chelan, Washington, James serves as a member of the PLU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is a leader and role model for the younger members of the Lute men's basketball squad.

"This year has been different for me as the oldest guy on the team," said James. "I am not only a teammate, but a role-model to the other guys to carry out what we want PLU basketball to be about."
 
Upon graduation this spring, Kingma has his hopes set on going to dental school and eventually opening up his own dental practice. Bingham also has his plans set in stone and he will be going to grad school upon graduation. James plans on becoming a firefighter or EMT after graduation with the hopes of pursuing a job in the medical field. For Geiger he is still uncertain on what he wants to do but "Possibly start my career in my major of physics and pursue my love with cars, or start my fitness brand and business. I plan on starting my future with my fiancée, and enjoying life wherever it takes us."

Action this Saturday will start at 6 p.m. against Willamette with the four Lute seniors being honored in a pregame ceremony.

Feb. 15: PLU vs Willamette inside Olson Gymnasium (6 p.m.)

Series History: The Lutes and Bearcats rivalry goes back to the 1951-1952 season with PLU owning a 62-56 overall record against Willamette. The Lutes have gone back and forth with the Bearcats and came away victorious in the first matchup of the season 97-70. Kingma and Bingham led the way for the Lutes with each senior scoring 20 points in the game.

About the Bearcats: Willamette (1-20, 0-12 NWC) are looking to pick up their first win in the last 18 games. The Bearcats last victory came on November 23rd over La Verne College which they won 84-70

Freshman Daniel Plumer has been a bright spot for the Bearcats this year as the freshman is the teams leading scorer averaging 16.1 points per game. Cade Whicker and Ben Sutton are also averaging in double figures for Willamette. The Bearcats will look to improve from the free throw line as they are only shooting 62% as a team.