SPOKANE, Wash. - Seth Hall eclipsed 1,000-career points but the Northwest Conference Champion Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team was unable to fully erase a 15-point first half deficit, stumbling 80-72 on Thursday night to host Whitworth University in the semifinals of the NWC Tournament. 
 
"They shot the ball incredibly well again in the first half and I just thought we were a step slow defensively which gave them just enough space to operate," said NWC Coach of the Year Chad Murray.
 
The second-seeded and NWC Co-Champion Pirates (21-4) led wire-to-wire, scoring the opening eight points of the game. Third-seeded PLU (18-8) closed within a possession off a Tyler Ashmore three with 17:13 left In the half and again on a Jack Williams layup with 8:17 left but host Whitworth outscored the Lutes 23-11 over the next eight minutes and enjoyed a 46-33 halftime buffer. 
 
"In the second half we tightened up defensively and gave ourselves a chance but just couldn't sustain a run when they gave us a chance."
 
A Hall layup with 8:13 left cut the gap to single digits before banging in a pair of free throws with 1:57 remaining to close within five at 71-66. A Whitworth jumper on the ensuing possession followed by seven made free throws put the game on ice and put the Pirates into the NWC Championship game where they will host fourth-seed Whitman College on Saturday.
 
Hall logged career point 1,000 at the charity stripe with 56 seconds remaining and closes his decorated stint with the Lutes with 1,002 career points, finishing the night with a game-high 27 while also adding six rebounds.
 
Sean McCurdy added 15 points and six boards while Brandin Riedel finished with a dozen points. Sam Noland was the fourth Lute in double figures, pouring on 11. Brett Williams was the distributor on Thursday night, dishing out five assists.
 
Depth proved a factor down the stretch with Whitworth's reserves outscoring the Lute reserves 24-5. 
 
"I can't say enough nice things about seniors Brett, Tyler, and Seth. Their impact on our program will be felt for a long time. Seth, a ruthless competitor, set a standard of excellence for future Lutes. I love Seth's growth both as a player and as a person during his time here."
 
"Tyler was a perfect fit for our program in every way. His temperament, humility, and team-first attitude was just what we needed. He could do a little of everything from shooting the three to scoring inside."
 
"Brett will go down as one of the best defenders I've ever coached. He put the clamps on various All-Conference players this year to the point of amazement. He handled himself with class and had a level of professionalism that was unmatched."