Setting the Scene: Four programs are in action this weekend with men's and women's swimming returning to the pool for its first competition in over a month while men's and women's basketball head to Oregon to resume Northwest Conference play.

Leading the Pack: The NWC office released updated standings for the McIlroy-Lewis All-Sports Trophy on Nov. 23 with the Lutes leading the standings. PLU has 90 points, enjoying a nine-point lead on second place George Fox University. PLU's reign atop the standings comes after winning the NWC title in women's soccer and placing runner-up in men's cross country, men's soccer, and football.  Learn More: LINK

Trailblazing NIL the D3 Way: PLU Athletics continues to lead the way nationally in Name, Image, and Likeness, unveiling the Luteville Marketplace on Wednesday through the department's partnership with Opendorse. Learn more about the deal here: LINK. But don't stay on the sidelines, get involved and connect with PLU student-athletes on the Luteville Marketplace: LINK
 
The Luteville Marketplace is the first dedicated NIL marketplace in Division III on the Opendorse platform that directly connects student-athletes with fans, supporters, and business partners in an easy to use website. 

Tickets, Tickets Tickets: The Lutes have made it easier for fans to attend home sporting events, signing a deal with HomeTown Ticketing to be the department's official electronic ticket provider. Lute fans can now purchase tickets online at GoLutes.com/tickets or on the HomeTown Ticketing mobile app available on iOS and Android devices. Learn More: LINK

Download the PLU Athletics App: Stay connected to your favorite teams by downloading the official mobile app of the Pacific Lutheran University athletic department powered by SIDEARM Sports, available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play. 
 
To download the app to your smartphone or tablet, visit the Apple App Store (DOWNLOAD LINK) or Google Play (DOWNLOAD LINK) and search for "PLU Athletics."
 
FRIDAY:
WBB at Linfield in McMinnville, Ore. (6 p.m.)
MBB at Linfield in McMinnville, Ore. (8 p.m.)
SATURDAY:
SWIM at SeattleU in Seattle, Wash. (11 a.m.)
WBB at George Fox in Newberg, Ore. (4 p.m.)
MBB at George Fox in Newberg, Ore. (6 p.m.)
 
Men's Basketball: The Lutes (6-5, 0-2 NWC) resume conference play riding a three-game win streak and having won four of its last five games.
 
PLU's winning streak started in Florida, fending off a late rally for a 52-48 victory over Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg on Dec. 19 before pounding LaGrange College 69-54 the following day.
 
The Lutes continued their winning ways on Dec. 30 with a Jackson Reisner three at the buzzer giving PLU a 64-61 home win over Gustavus Adolphus College. Jordan Thomas had 23 points and 10 boards in the win over the Gusties, his fourth double-double of the year and on Monday was tabbed the NWC Player of the Week.
 
Reisner leads the Lutes in scoring averaging 11.9 points per game and has a team-best 28 threes. Sam Noland and Thomas both add 11.5 ppg.
 
Women's Swimming: The Lutes (2-2) gear up to compete in their first dual meet since Nov. 19 and their first competition since the Logger Invitational back on Dec. 4.
 
PLU's last dual meet was a 110-85 win over Lewis & Clark College, a meet the Lutes' won seven of the 11 events contested. At the Logger Invite, Malia Wisham won the 200-yard freestyle and it was one of 15 top five finishes for PLU at the three-day meet. 
 
Women's Basketball: Pacific Lutheran (0-11, 0-2 NWC) dives back into NWC action after a two-game road trip to Southern California. PLU outscored host Occidental College 17-10 in the fourth quarter but was unable to completely erase a 12-point halftime deficit, stumbling 49-46. It was the Lutes' fourth one possession setback of the season in a game Ava Edmonds netted her first double-double of the year with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
 
Sydney Reisner scored 18 and Emi Wada added 16 on Jan. 1 but host California Lutheran University was able to secure the 73-62 win in PLU's final non-conference game of the season.
 
Through the opening 11 games of the year, Reisner leads the team in scoring with 11.0 ppg while Edmonds adds 10.9 ppg and a team-high 7.6 rebounds per game.
 
Men's Swimming: The Lutes (0-4) are back in the pool on Saturday, making the trek north to face Division I Seattle U. PLU won six of 11 events in its last dual meet but didn't have the depth to secure the win, coming up short 102-92 against Lewis & Clark back on Nov. 19.
 
At the Logger Invite in early December, Tyler Tanaka stole the show, finishing runner-up in the 200-yard breaststroke and third in the 400-yard individual medley. 
 
Attaways: It was a great fall for the PLU athletic department, finishing fifth on the West Coast and 56th nationally in the final fall LEARFIELD Directors' Cup Standings. PLU scored 100 points in the fall from men's and women's soccer both advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. Read more: LINK