Box Score SPOKANE, Wash. – The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team wouldn't go away on Sunday afternoon in Spokane, but its late rally against the Pirates came up short in an 81-76 defeat in the season finale for the Lutes. 

"I'm so proud of this team," said Head Coach Chad Murray.  "The resilience they've shown with all of the challenges we've thrown them during these unpredictable times is incredible.  We all looked at this situation as a tremendous opportunity to grow and separate ourselves from other programs.  Everything we did with this team was geared towards personal growth and character-based.  In turn, not only did they grow as men and leaders, they got a lot better on the court as well.  When the ball stops bouncing, these guys will take some invaluable life lessons and skills that they'll need to be the best husbands, fathers and community members.  That's what this is all about."
 
Trailing by as many as 11, 72-61, with just 5:29 remaining in the game, the Lutes whittled the lead all the way down to four when Tyler Ashmore made a layup with 1:13 left to go to make it 75-71.  The Lutes inched closer and made it a one possession game when Seth Hall connected on a three-point play with 26 seconds remaining, but it was not to be as the Pirates made all four of their free throws in the waning seconds to pull off the win. 
 
It was a close one throughout as the two teams were tied 41-41 after the first 20 minutes.  Rarely was the game more than one possession in the first half.  The Lutes did lead by seven on two occasions.  Ashmore made a three-pointer to put PLU up 22-15 with 10:41 left in the half and after a Pirate bucket he answered on the ensuing possession with a layup. 
 
PLU scored the first four points of the second half, but the Pirates answered with a 19-5 run to put them up 10 with 10:25 to play. 
 
Hall was 4-for-9 from long range and finished with 20 points.  Jordan Thomas rebounded from a tough outing last night with 16 points, six rebounds and four assists.  Ashmore and Brett Williams both hit three three-pointers and finished with 15 and 11, respectively. As a team, the Lutes shot an impressive 50 percent from the floor and hit 13 of 29 three-pointers.