LONGVIEW, Texas. --- The Pacific Lutheran Men's Basketball team wrapped up their trip to Texas on Friday afternoon, dropping the finale to St. Thomas (TX), 81-65.
 
Senior Brandin Riedel got the scoring started on the Lutes first possession of the game, draining a layup after the pass from Miles Nash. The game saw four tied-scores in the opening minutes, as Jason Montes sunk a three to make it a 10-10 game. The Celts went on a 14-3 run over the next seven minutes to take a 24-13 lead on their home court.
 
Nash found himself at the free throw stripe consistently throughout the game, where his success helped the Lutes cut the deficit to just five-points. But the closing minutes of the first half was controlled by the St. Thomas defense, as they led the Lutes 41-30 at the half.
 
Julian Brown opening the half with his second basket of the game, as he and Mack Hepper kept the Lutes within a single-digit deficit. Both teams found their stride from beyond the arc halfway through the final half, but it was the Celts who's success pulled them out to a 19-point lead with eight minutes to go.
 
Emmett Holt and Henry Smith knocked down a trio of deep balls, which proved to be too-little too-late as St. Thomas cruised to an 81-65 win over the Lutes inside the Letourneau gym.
 
"We knew going in that this trip was going to be tough and it certainly was." Said Head Coach Chad Murray.
 
Today we faced a soon-to-be nationally ranked team that exposed us in a variety of ways. I thought we showed some good fight in the second half by finding some shooters due to their traps and overloads. In the end, it came down to points off turnovers and our inability to take care of the ball."
 
Nash led the scoring for the Lutes on Friday, as his ten free throws carried the way to 16 total points, to go along with three rebounds and a team-high four assists. Riedel grabbed six boards and went five-for-eight from the field to earn 13-points in 34 minutes. The Lutes shot 46.6% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc, but came up short as the Celts shot over 55% from the field.
 
The Lutes return home to Olson Gymnasium next Saturday night, as they will host the University of California, Santa Cruz, Banana Slugs at 6 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.