WALLA WALLA, Wash. — The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team almost knocked off a second Northwest Conference power in less than 24 hours, owning a halftime lead on host Whitman College before stumbling down the stretch 84-64 inside the Sherwood Center. 
 
"Tonight was a real struggle for us defensively. We never got in any type of rhythm on that end," said Head Coach Chad Murray.
 
"We couldn't string consecutive stops together and that is not going to end well when that happens. We were able to hang in there until around seven minutes to go when the dam broke."
 
The host Blues (4-7,  2-0 NWC) scored the game's opening bucket before an Emmett Holt three gave the Lutes their first lead of the night just a minute into the game. Whitman took a seven-point lead midway through the first half on a Djordje Lazarevic three but two treys from Dom Perasso and another from Mack Hepper reduced the gap to 27-25 with 8:24 remaining. 
 
PLU (4-7, 1-1 NWC) reclaimed the lead on a Miles Nash layup with 5:17 left and the lead swayed back and forth the rest of the half. A Jason Montes layup with 61 seconds left gave the Lutes a 41-40 edge, a lead they would take into the halftime intermission. 
 
Whitman drained a three on its first possession of the second half. A Nash three tied the game at 44 with 18:24 left in the game before the Blues rattled off a 7-0 run. The Whitman lead grew to double digits with 13:39 remaining but the Lutes battled back, pulling within four on a Brandin Riedel bucket with 7:35 remaining. 

Unfortunately for the Lutes that was as close as they would come with the Blues ending the contest on a 21-5 run to remain perfect in conference play.
 
Julian Brown was one of two Lutes in double figures, ending the night with 13 points and five rebounds. Nash added 11 points while Riedel and Perasso added nine points. Perasso paced PLU on the glass, hauling down six rebounds.

Whitman held a sizable 34-21 rebounding edge which allowed the in-state rivals to hold a 15-0 advantage in second chance points while also owning a 52-24 edge in points in the paint. 
 
"It's so disappointing to not get the sweep but we will use this to help us next weekend. The formula for us is pretty simple. We just have to do it on a consistent basis and we'll give it another shot next weekend."
 
Saturday's setback comes after stunning 14th-ranked and previously unbeaten Whitworth University 75-73 behind a 23-point performance from Ben Tellez.
 
The Lutes return to the hardwood on Friday night, welcoming Linfield University to Olson Gymnasium for the squad's NWC home opener. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m.