PORTLAND, ORE. --- The Pacific Lutheran Men's Basketball team completed play at the Lewis & Clark Thanksgiving Classic on Sunday afternoon as they remain undefeated on the season, defeating California-Santa Cruz 91-90.
 
Sophomore Miles Nash got the game going quickly for the Lutes, draining a jumper followed by a three in the first minute to put the Lutes ahead 5-0. The two squads traded baskets as Nash drove to the rim and drew the foul while making the basket. Nash would go on to execute on the three-point-play. The Slugs would climb back to tie the game at 14:53 before taking the lead with a three at 13:27; 18-17 Slugs. Santa Cruz would go on to extend their lead to five but sophomore Mack Hepper would bring the Lutes right back to take the lead once again at the under eight media timeout. The Slugs and the Lutes would go basket-for-basket for the remainder of the half, but senior Brandin Riedel got the final bucket with a deep three to put the Lutes up 43-42 at the half.
 
The Slugs got the best of the beginning of the second half, climbing out to a five-point lead and maintaining for the first three minutes. In the 15^th minute, Riedel brought the Lutes back once again with a jumper to give the Lutes a 51-50 lead. For the next ten minutes, the two teams traded baskets over a stretch that featured seven ties up to 67-67. Noland and Nash team up to get the Lutes out to a 77-70 lead. Nash and Junior Jason Montes helped extend the lead up to 13 points with under two minutes to play. The Slugs would go on a 14-5 run to cut the Lutes lead to just two. But with just one second remaining, and coming off a pair Lutes free throws, the Slugs made a deep three to end the game 91-90 in favor of the Lutes.
 
Noland lead the Lutes with 20 points in the game on 43.8% shooting. As a team, the Lutes shot 56.1% from the field and 36.4% from the field.
 
The Lutes will return home for the week before heading to McMinnville, Ore. to take on Linfield on Friday, December 1^st, at 8 p.m.
 
To follow Lutes coverage all season long, please follow us on social media; PLU Athletics on Facebook, @GoLutes on X.com and Instagram.