TACOMA, Wash. — Miles Nash dropped a career-high 23 points but the Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team was unable to contain a hot shooting University of Puget Sound on Wednesday night, falling 86-77 to the intracity rivals inside Olson Gymnasium. 
 
The visiting Loggers packed a one-two punch with Dezman Baker and Liam Ruttledge who combined for 50 points and hit 20 of their 27 shots from the floor (74.1 percent) in a game that had 14 ties and six lead changes. 
 
Tied at 59, the visiting Loggers (9-9, 5-4 NWC) mounted a 12-2 run over a four minute stretch to stake a double digit advantage with 4:49 remaining in the game. A Mack Hepper trey cut the gap to seven with 1:21 remaining but the host Lutes (10-8, 3-6 NWC) were unable to come any closer in the nine-point setback as the Loggers drained six free throws in the final 44 seconds. 
 
The opening half featured four lead changes and eight ties with neither squad owning a lead greater than six points. A Logger three with 11:41 remaining put the visitors up by a single point but the Lutes responded with seven straight, including a Jackson Reisner trey with 8:52 left. Puget Sound ripped off seven in a row later in the half to tie the game and took a 38-35 advantage into the locker room at halftime. 
 
Nash dropped 23 on the night while grabbing six rebounds and dishing out five assists. The effort eclipsed his previous career best of 21. Jason Montes dropped 17, getting seven of those at the charity stripe while Brandin Riedel added 16 along with four assists.
 
PLU shot an even 50 percent (29-for-58) from the floor but was unable to keep pace with Puget Sound who finished the night shooting 57.9 percent (33-for-57), including a scorching 65.4 percent (17-for-26) in the second half. 
 
"We need to recommit to the defensive end of the floor. The last three games have really been disappointing. So in order to have a chance against an improving Linfield team, we'll need to defend better," said Head Coach Chad Murray.

Pacific Lutheran returns to the hardwood on Saturday, clashing with NWC rival Linfield University at 6 p.m. inside Olson Gymnasium.