LAS VEGAS – The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team battled to the bitter end on Tuesday Night inside the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa.  Missing two starters, the Lutes gave No. 23-ranked Maryville College all they could handle in a 74-68 defeat on the first day of the D3hoops.com Classic.

"With us being short-handed, as a coach you wonder how it will affect the mood of the team going up against such a tough opponent," said PLU Head Men's Basketball Coach Chad Murray.  "The guys showed a lot of resilience tonight and fought hard all the way.  So from a culture and chemistry standpoint, I think we passed the test.  From a basketball standpoint, when we weren't turning the ball over, we were able to get some nice opportunities through some good cutting, spacing and inside touches.  In the second half, we got off to a rough start and dug ourselves a hole.  I do think we figured some things out later and guys were able to make some big shots to give us a chance.  We just fell a little short."
 
Down by one with 58 seconds left, the Lutes had a chance to go ahead for the first time since they led 39-38 with 17:26 remaining in the game, but the go-ahead jump shot in the lane by Sean McCurdy was blocked by Felix Uadiale and corralled by the Scots.  The Lutes fouled with 26 seconds left and after making the first free throw, JR Sanders missed the second, but Nicholas Clifton recovered the offensive rebound and put it in for two to put the game out of reach. 
 
After an even first half that was tied at 35 at the break, the Scots cranked up the defensive intensity early in the second half and went on a 14-0 run to push their lead to as many as 13.  The Lutes wouldn't pack it in though, and slowly chipped away at the deficit.  Still trailing by 10 with 4:43 left to play, Shane McGaughey-Fick hit back-to-back to three-pointers to put the game within two possessions.  Another shot from long range by Brett Williams cut the lead to one and set the stage for the final sequence. 

"I was extremely proud of our guys tonight for the way they competed," said Murray.  "I was really excited to see them rally around each other and pull themslves out of that in the second half to give ourselves a chance to win the game at the end."
 
Jordan Thomas led the way with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field.  He added three steals, eight assists and five rebounds, while guarding Uadiale for long stretches.  Sam Noland had 12 points and Brandin Riedel had 13 and was an impressive 5-for-6 from the charity stripe.  McCurdy was a load on the glass with 11 boards and added eight points.  Sam Morasch played 11 minutes off the bench, hit a three and was a team-best +9. 

"Tomorrow may be an even tougher test for us as Mary Hardin-Baylor will throw all kinds of different looks at us with a lot of talented players."
 
PLU will have another tough challenge tomorrow night when they take on the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor at 9:00 p.m. The Crusaders are currently ranked 19^th in the nation.