PORTLAND, Ore. - Three Lutes finished in double figures but it wasn't enough on Saturday afternoon, as the Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball squad fell 73-62 to Warner Pacific University.

The Lutes (2-2) led by as many as six points in the first half but the Knights (1-1) pulled away in the second half, opening up a double digit lead midway through the second stanza to secure the win.

"This was a sluggish performance tonight by our team," said Head Coach Chad Murray.

"It just never felt like we could get in any sort of rhythm. Warner Pacific really got us on our heels defensively in the first half and then in the second they were able to convert some threes and we didn't really have an answer."

A trey from Tyler Ashmore followed by a Brett Williams jumper gave the Lutes a 23-17 advantage with 8:11 remaining in the opening half. Warner Pacific chipped away at the lead and flipped the script in the second part of the first half, taking a 34-32 lead into the locker room at halftime.

WPU raced out ton a nine-point lead just over 90 seconds into the second half and held the Lutes at bay the rest of the way. A Seth Hall three cut the gap to just five with 5:49 remaining but Pacific Lutheran was unable to dent the lead any more in the 11-point setback to the NAIA school.

Seth Hall dropped 16 points to pace the Lutes with Ashmore adding 13. Sam Noland tallied 11 points along with five rebounds while Williams had nine points and four assists. Jordan Thomas led the Lutes on the glass with eight rebounds.

PLU outshot Warner Pacific, shooting at a 47.2 percent clip (25-for-53), compared to the Knights 43.8 percent (28-for-64) and owning a 34-30 edge in points in the paint. The Knights capitalized on the opportunities presented to them, owning a 29-7 edge in points off turnovers and a 17-10 lead in second chance points.

"We've got some soul searching to do to determine what type of team we're going to be in terms of our identity. We're thankful for a game tomorrow so we can flush this one and continue to move forward."

The Lutes return to the hardwood tomorrow morning, facing Northwest Indian College at 11 a.m. in Portland.