TACOMA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team saw its 10-game domination of crosstown rival University of Puget Sound come to a halt on Tuesday night, falling short 74-69 inside Memorial Field House. 
 
The Lutes (5-1, 1-1 Northwest Conference) and Loggers (2-4, 1-1 NWC) went back and forth in the opening 12 minutes of the game with three lead changes and six ties. A Jason Montes trey made it 16-16 with 8:02 left in the half but the Loggers buried consecutive threes to touch off a 10-0 run.
 
PLU reduced the gap to six on pair of Brandin Riedel free throws but the homestanding Loggers headed to the halftime intermission with a 35-27 lead.
 
A Sam Noland layup closed the gap to a single possession with 11:16 remaining in the game but the Loggers scored the next 10, draining a pair of treys to establish its largest lead of the night at 60-47. 
 
The Lutes battled back, reducing the gap to just five with 5:37 remaining on a Liam Johnston three before pulling within a possession on a Miles Nash trey with 60 seconds left. The Lutes had a pair of threes in the waning seconds that fell short while the hosts hit a pair of free throws with a split second left to snap PLU's 10-game win streak in the intracity rivalry. 

"We got what we deserved tonight. I didn't have our guys ready to play so I'll take a look at that and adjust if needed," said Head Coach Chad Murray.

"I just didn't think our energy was great in the first half and give them credit they came out and punched us in the mouth. Brandin going out with four fouls early in the second half certainly didn't help but Jack Williams did great holding it down for us to have an opportunity for Brandin to come back and play some meaningful minutes."
 
Sam Noland paced the Lutes, scoring 22 points and shooting 10-for-16 from the floor. Miles Nash added 15 along with five rebounds while Brandin Riedel and Jason Montes both had 11. Johnston had a team-best six rebounds.
 
Puget Sound was electric from beyond the arc, canning 10 treys on the night and ending the contest shooting at a 47.6 percent clip. 

"We knew that if they shot it well from three we were going to have a tough time. Some of their makes were from our inability to stay attached and some were just great shots at great times. We will regroup and get better from this. This team is still growing and finding themselves."
 
The Lutes are back on the court on Sunday, resuming non-conference play by hosting Douglas College inside Olson Gymnasium. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m.