Box Score

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team encountered little resistance in Tuesday's season opener, pummeling in-state rival Evergreen State College 100-67 inside the Costantino Recreation Center. 
 
The visiting Lutes (1-0) never trailed in Tuesday's non-league tilt, enjoying a 26-point gap at the halftime break in the blowout win that saw five PLU players finish in double figures.

"We're really happy with the way we came out defensively which set the tone early on," said Head Coach Chad Murray.

"Brandin Riedel was fantastic in the first 10 minutes of the first half which settled us offensively. Then we were able to get going in transition and also from three-point range. But the story of the night was our defensive intensity. I thought our bench energy was incredible and that really gave us the boost we needed to defend for the entire half."
 
Pacific Lutheran led 6-5 four minutes into the game before scoring the next eight points, with half of that coming from Brandin Riedel to create some breathing room. A Sam Noland layup halfway through the opening stanza mushroomed the Lute lead into double digits and remained that way the rest of the game. 
 
PLU took a 53-27 lead into the halftime intermission and outscored the Geoducks (0-1) 47-40 in the second half.  
 
Noland paced the Lute scoring efforts, registering 19 points on the night. Riedel added 16 points, hitting all eight of his shots from the floor while also hauling in eight rebounds while Sean McCurdy tallied 15 points. Jackson Reisner chipped in 11 with Jack Williams scoring 10 off the bench. Jordan Thomas had a team-high four assists while scoring eight points.

"Noland played tremendous for us. Disciplined offensively and was able to take advantage of the opportunities he got. Overall, this is a nice first game for us to build on."
 
PLU scorched the nets, shooting 60 percent (42-for-70) on the evening while outrebounding Evergreen by a 38-23 margin. 
 
The Lutes are back on the hardwood on Saturday, hosting Warner Pacific University inside Olson Gymnasium with tipoff set for 3 p.m.