NEWBERG, Ore. --- The Pacific Lutheran Men's Basketball team (11-10, 4-8 NWC) drop the second game of the weekend in Oregon to George Fox (14-7, 7-5 NWC); 81-69. 
 
With both the Bruins and the Lutes finding themselves in the middle of the Northwest Conference standings and fighting for a tournament appearance, the squads traded baskets to open the game. Neither team able to break more than a two-point lead. The Lutes starters spread the ball around with baskets coming from Miles Nash, Brandin Riedel, Sam Noland, and Jason Montes to open the game.
 
Following a Riedel basket to give the Lutes a 10-9 lead, a 9-0 over the course of the next three minutes gave the Bruins a 18-9 lead. Senior Jack Williams entered the game under the 11-minute mark for the Lutes, scoring on back to back jumpers to keep PLU within striking distance. Noland and Mack Hepper combine for two threes to cut the deficit to just two points. In this game of runs, the Bruins pulled out ahead to an eight-point lead twice in the final five minutes. Noland cashed in on a three with 15 seconds remaining in in the half, but a last-second foul on the Lutes gave the Bruins two free throws and a 43-37 lead heading into halftime.
 
Coming out of the half, the Bruins continuously attacked the rim, earning a 6-0 run and forcing the Lutes to take a timeout just two minutes into the final half of play. Trailing by 10, the Lutes made three straight baskets behind Montes and Williams, but the Bruins answered with consecutive lay-ins between the Lutes three scores with 13 minutes remaining. Each time the Lutes scored, the Bruins answered right back, preventing any sort of PLU comeback.
 
Over the course of six minutes and under 10 to go, a 12-4 run would distance the Bruins from the Lutes. Unable to overcome a double-digit deficit early in the final half, the Lutes drop the second game of the weekend; 81-69.
 
Riedel nearly matched his performance from the night prior (19 points), and scored 18 on 70% shooting from the field. Montes followed close with 17 points of his own, going 8-8 from the free throw line. The Lutes shot 47% from the field, 32% from three, and grabbed 34 rebounds as a whole.
 
The Lutes return home before hitting the road once again next weekend, facing Pacific on Friday at 8 p.m. before taking on Lewis & Clark at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
 
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