MCMINNVILLE, Ore. - The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team erased a 17-point deficit only to fall victim to a last second three, ending on the wrong side of a 61-60 affair against Linfield University in a wild Northwest Conference tilt inside Ted Wilson Gymnasium.

PLU (6-6, 0-3 NWC) trailed by 17 points at the half and was staring at an 11-point gap with just over four minutes left in the game. The Lutes buckled down over the final minutes, mounting a 13-0 run that was capped off by a Jordan Thomas layup with 26 seconds left to give visiting PLU its first lead since early in the first half. PLU's defense had the Wildcats (5-7, 2-2 NWC) on the ropes, but an offensive rebound and a desperation three from TreyVaughn Bierlink banked in with 2.6 seconds left as Linfield did just enough to escape with the win.

"I'm so proud of the guys for how they responded to the adversity of the first half. Unfortunate in the way it ended but that doesn't take away the character that our team showed to battle back and ultimately take the lead and come one play away from stealing that game," said Head Coach Chad Murray.

"We must continue to fight for each other in the quest to play a complete game. We showed who we were capable of being in the second half but it's a 40 minute game and we didn't play to our standards in the first half."

The Lutes got off to a sluggish start, staring at a 35-18 deficit at the halftime intermission. PLU's woes in the opening half including shooting just 24 percent (six-for-25) from the floor while the hosts shot at a 50 percent (13-for-26) clip.

Brandin Riedel led the Lutes with 17 points, shooting six-for-eight from the floor while making all five of his free throw attempts. Jackson Reisner added 13 with Sam Noland adding 12 points. Sean McCurdy had a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards while Jordan Thomas had a team-high five assists and three blocks.

PLU dominated the glass with a 40-28 rebounding edge and a 15-8 advantage in second chance points but turnovers proved costly for the visiting Lutes with Linfield enjoying an 18-5 edge in points off turnovers.

"I love these guys and want them to feel joy in these instances and not heartbreak. Unfortunately in sports someone has to take the loss and we'll shoulder that responsibility tonight."

The Lutes are back at it tomorrow evening, facing George Fox University at 6 p.m. in Newberg.