TACOMA, Wash. – Entering the season with national buzz, the Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team showed why, earning a wire-to-wire victory over The Evergreen State College and defeating the Geoducks, 84-55 in the team's season opener.
Junior forward
Sean McCurdy had a career night to lead the Lutes (1-0) to victory in Olson Gymnasium. McCurdy recorded his first career double-double and had career-highs in points and rebounds with 21 and 14, respectively. The Lutes outscored the Geoducks by 34 points with the junior from Spanaway on the floor.
Starting for the first time in his career, point guard
Sam Noland poured in 15 points and had seven rebounds with four assists, while orchestrating an offense that shot a blistering 55.7 percent from the field.
Brandin Riedel also had a career night off the bench, going for 17 points and six rebounds.
All-Northwest Conference performer
Jordan Thomas led the defensive effort that limited the Geoducks to 33.3 percent shooting in the game and 3-for-21 from long range. Thomas had 12 points, nine assists and four rebounds.
The Lutes will expect a big step-up in competition this weekend when they take on California foes, University of Redlands and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges at University of Puget Sound. PLU will play the Bulldogs on Friday at 6:00 p.m. before taking on the Stags on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
