ELLENSBURG, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team outrebounded host and nationally-ranked Division II Central Washington University on Saturday afternoon but was unable to handle the Wildcats efficient shooting, falling 85-61 in the team's lone exhibition game.  
 
The host Wildcats entered the exhibition ranked 15th in the nation in NCAA Division II. 
 
"Our new team did a great job competing against a pre-season nationally ranked Division II program," said Head Coach Chad Murray.
 
"We really liked what we saw from us on the glass as we got a good handful of offensive rebounds and second chance opportunities while limiting them from hurting us in the same way. We didn't shoot the three particularly well but got some great looks. The guys are coming along well and we're excited about what's ahead."
 
A Mack Hepper three just under three minutes into the game gave the visiting Lutes a 7-6 lead. CWU would answer, building a five point cushion with 13:50 left before halftime. Pacific Lutheran refused to back down with a Ben Tellez layup making it 17-16 with just over 11 minutes to play. The nationally ranked hosts put the clamps on the Lutes the rest of the half, taking a 41-23 edge into the intermission.
 
Miles Nash and Dom Perasso led the way with nine points while Tellez and Drew Kraft both scored seven. Perasso, Tellez, and Brandin Riedel all had a half dozen rebounds in the exhibition while Kraft had a team-best three blocks.
 
PLU outrebounded Central 40-37, including a 17-7 edge on the offensive glass. The Lutes ended the night shooting 35.3 percent from the floor (24-for-68) while the Wildcats enjoyed shooting at a 52.6 percent clip (30-for-57). 
 
The Lutes open the regular season next Saturday, hosting local rival The Evergreen State College at 4:30 p.m. inside Olson Gymnasium.