TACOMA, Wash. — Charlie Kapranos had a career-night, scoring 29 points and grabbing his first career double-double as the Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball squad shook off a slow start to down Pomona-PItzer Colleges 72-58 on Friday night in the home opener inside Olson Gymnasium.

The visiting Sagehens (0-1) drained a pair of threes to open the game and built an eight-point advantage with 13:19 left in the first half on a Reagan Cornish trey. 

Pacific Lutheran (1-2) chipped away at the Pomona-PItzer lead, pulling within a possession on a Henry Smith three-pointer with 10:33 left before halftime. A Ben Tellez tied the game at 19 with 6:21 remaining and touched off a 23-6 Lute run to close out the half. PLU reigned down a trio of threes during the stretch courtesy of Dom Perasso, Henry Smith, and Kapranos, enjoying a 40-25 advantage at the break. 

"We got off to a slow start offensively. Just a bit lethargic but Charlie was able to get us going and then by the mid-point of the first half I thought we settled into the game on both ends which allowed us to have a nice lead going into the second half," said Head Coach Chad Murray.

The Sagehens scored eight straight in the second half, pulling to within single digits at 48-41 but a jumper and a three from Kapranos re-established a double digit buffer that would remain the rest of the game. That gap grew to as many as 23 late in the game en route to the 14-point win. 

"We started slowly again offensively in the second so I may need to look at that lineup. I think all of them present some really positive things but we're still learning who plays best as a unit. Charlie had a tremendous game and our guys fed off his energy."

Kapranos had a career night with 29 points and 11 rebounds, with five of his boards coming on the offensive end. He also had two assists, two steals, and a block for good measure. Tellez was the only other Lute in double figures, dropping 11 while adding seven rebounds and a team-leading six assists. Smith had nine points while Mack hepper had five rebounds and three assists.

PLU controlled the paint, enjoying a 24-16 edge in points in the paint and finished the night shooting at a 42.9 percent clip (12-for-28) from beyond the arc. 

"We certainly have a lot of room for growth but I'm excited about some of the possibilities with this group. We're looking forward to next weekend against two quality D3 opponents"

The Lutes are back in action next Friday night, welcoming University of Dallas to Olson Gymnasium. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.