MCMINNVILLE, Ore. - A see-saw affair that featured seven lead changes and six ties ultimately tilted against the Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team on Saturday night, as a five-point Lute lead evaporated midway through the second half allowing Northwest Conference rival Linfield College to collect the 88-75 win inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium.
 
A Conor Geiger three with 30 seconds left in opening half allowed the Lutes (10-11, 6-6 NWC) to take a 39-38 lead into the locker room at halftime. Pacific Lutheran's lead would increase to five early in the second half, holding a 48-43 advantage with 17:19 remaining courtesy of a Leighton Kingma three-pointer. PLU's lead proved fleeting with the homestanding Wildcats (16-5, 10-2 NWC) mounting a 13-0 run to seize a 56-48 lead with 14:10 remaining on a Dempsey Roggenbuck three. Linfield would continue to put the pedal to the metal, owning a double-digit lead over the final six minutes of play on its way to the 13-point victory.
 
"I thought we responded well in the first half to some of their offensive spurts, ultimately leading by one at the half," said Head Coach Chad Murray. "We started well in the second half but couldn't sustain anything. They wore us down on both ends of the court and created some separation."
 
Geiger led the Lutes with 18 points while also adding five rebounds. Kingma finished with 17 points and six rebounds, shooting seven-for-10 from the floor while Jacob Bingham hit five three-pointers to end with 17 points. Jordan Thomas had nine points, five rebounds, and four assists while Seth Hall added nine points and five boards.
 
PLU held a 37-33 rebounding advantage and a 22-8 edge in bench production but turnovers proved to be the Lutes' Achilles heel. PLU committed 17 turnovers while Linfield turned the ball over just six times as the Wildcats held a 31-9 edge in points off turnovers. 
 
"We're really excited for what lies ahead and hope to continue playing well over these last two weeks of the regular season."
 
The Lutes are back on the hardwood on Tuesday, hosting University of Puget Sound at 8 p.m. inside Olson Gymnasium.