TACOMA, Wash. - A 25-point deficit was whittled down to three but the Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team ran out of gas, coming up short 85-76 against Northwest Conference rival George Fox University on Saturday at Miller Gymnasium.

The host Bruins (3-10, 2-2 NWC) opened the second half on a 16-1 run, ballooning their advantage to 25 points with 16:33 remaining in the game. For the second straight night the Lutes refused to fold, methodically chipping into the lead. The gap was cut to 10 with 5:13 left on a Sam Noland three but Noland hit two more treys followed by a Shane McGaughey-Fick free throw to close the deficit to a single possession at 77-74 with 2:10 left on the clock. George Fox did just enough in those final minutes to earn separation and hold on for the victory.

"Overall a very disappointing performance tonight. Give George Fox credit, they established themselves offensively early on in the game and had us back on our heels. They were able to apply enough pressure to bother us and turn us over. That's never good to do on the road. We were playing from behind the entire evening," said Head Coach Chad Murray.

"We didn't come out ready to play in the second half as they ballooned their lead to 25. Again we showed some heart to cut it to three but couldn't get the rebound we needed to have a chance to tie it."

A trey from Sean McCurdy and a layup from Brandin Riedel gave the Lutes an early 5-3 lead just over a minute into the game but the host Bruins scored 19 of the next 22 points,  including a spurt of 13 straight points to take a 22-8 advantage with 13:38 left in the first. George Fox would keep the Lutes (6-7, 0-4 NWC) at arm's length the rest of the half, enjoying a 45-35 lead at the halftime break.

Jordan Thomas, the reigning NWC Player of the Week, finished with his sixth double-double of the season, netting 14 points and a season-high 15 rebounds. The senior additionally dished out four assists. Noland hit four treys on the night, pacing the Lutes with 20 points while Brandin Riedel added 14.

"Jordan did what he could to keep us within striking distance in terms of his rebounding and help breaking pressure."

GFU hit 13 threes on the night, shooting 48.1 percent from distance. PLU controlled the boards, outrebounding the hosts 42-30 while enjoying a 36-24 margin in points in the paint.

"We'll take the day off tomorrow to reset ourselves in hopes we can right the ship next week at home vs Willamette and Lewis & Clark."

PLU is back at it next Friday, hosting Willamette University at 8 p.m. inside Olson Gymnasium.