TACOMA, Wash. - Brandin Riedel dropped 20 points and Miles Nash tallied his first career double-double as the Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball squad downed in-state rival Northwest University 75-62 on Monday night inside Olson Gymnasium.

The homestanding Lutes (2-0) never trailed against the NAIA Eagles (1-1) scoring seven of the opening nine points. PLU's advantage hit double digits with 11:52 left in the opening half on a Nash layup while the Lutes took a 35-26 lead into the halftime intermission off a Riedel dunk with 34 seconds left.

Pacific Lutheran's lead mushroomed to 17 off a Jason Montes free throw with 12:04 left in the game. Northwest slowly chipped away at the lead, utilizing a 10-0 run to pull within seven with 6:14 to go. Free throws from Montes and Sam Noland put the buffer back to double digits and the Lutes led by a least nine the rest of the way in the 13-point victory.

"I was really pleased with our defense. We stuck to our game plan and did a nice job on their top scorers. Bottom line is that we wanted them to have to earn everything they got and if they were going to score it was because of things we were okay with them doing," said Head Coach Chad Murray.

"Miles had a nice game along with Brandin inside. It's a great thing to be able to have Brandin and Jack Williams as a one two punch inside. I thought Jack added some great support.We did a nice job of valuing the ball at the end and making them foul us so we could settle in at the line."
 
Riedel led the way with 20 points, shooting eight-for-12 from the floor while also grabbing 10 rebounds. Nash finished with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds while dishing out four assists while  Montes added 13 points and eight boards. Sam Noland was the fourth Lute in double digits netting 12.

PLU shot 44.2 percent (23-for-52) from the floor while limiting the Eagles to shooting at a 35.3 percent clip (24-for-68). The Lutes outscored Northwest 20-2 on the fast break while enjoying a 36-24 edge in points in the paint. Pacific Lutheran additionally had more made free throws (25) than Northwest had attempts (12).

The Lutes are back on the hardwood on Friday, hitting the road with an exhibition against Division I University of Idaho.