TACOMA, Wash. — Whitworth University might win the Northwest Conference title but the Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team made sure it didn't happen on Friday night. The Lutes rose to the occasion inside Olson Gymnasium, knocking off the NWC leaders 75-72 in the penultimate game of the regular season.
"This win made our year and we have a chance to spoil another celebration tomorrow," said Head Coach
Chad Murray.
"Our guys believed in the plan, believed in themselves and their teammates. It's really rewarding to see us take big punches from them and respond with punches of our own. Both teams had to endure a lot tonight and we're thrilled to come out on top."
Friday's clash between in-state rivals featured nine lead changes and three ties. A
Brandin Riedel and one with 3:30 remaining put the host Lutes (14-10, 7-8 NWC) up by double digits but the NWC-leading Pirates (16-8, 12-3 NWC) wouldn't make it easy for PLU down the stretch.
Whitworth would drop 12 of the next 14 points, tying the game at 72 with 49 ticks left on a Jojo Anderson and one play. Riedel put the Lutes up one with 36 seconds remaining before
Miles Nash drew an offense foul the ensuing possession.
Jason Montes hit a pair of free throws with 16 seconds remaining and the Pirates misfired on a trio of threes as PLU held on for the three-point win, forcing the league title to come down to the final day of the regular season.
Visiting Whitworth held a five point lead just under eight minutes into the game before the Lutes scored 20 of the next 28 points, taking the lead on a Riedel bucked and seizing a seven point advantage on a
Henry Smith trey with 2:16 remaining in the opening half. PLU held the lead the rest of the half, taking a 31-27 edge into the halftime intermission.
Whitworth took its first lead of the second half on a three with 16:38 remaining. That lead extended to five on a layup with 11:00 remaining but the Lutes answered with threes from Jack Reisner and
Mack Hepper to reclaim the lead at 51-50. It would remain a one possession game until threes from Hepper and Montes made it 63-56 with 6:32 to go. That lead continued to grow until the Riedel three point play put the Lutes up 10.
Montes led all scorers with a career-high 22 points, banging in four treys on the night while Riedel racked up 12, shooting five-for-seven from the floor. Nash and
Mack Hepper both added 11 with Nash also hauling down eight rebounds.
"Jason had a stretch there that reminded me of the Pacific game here earlier this year when he just took over and dazzled the crowd. He did the same thing tonight from 3. It was fun to watch. He's been unbreakable here these last three games."
PLU enjoyed a 26-13 edge in bench production and canned 10 treys on the night with seven coming in the second half. PLU shot 50.0 percent (13-for-26) from the floor in the second half, including a blistering 53.8 percent (seven-for-13) from distance.
The Lutes close out the season tomorrow evening, hosting in-state rival Whitman College at 6 p.m. inside Olson Gymnasium.
