SANTA CRUZ, Calif.— The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team took the No.6 University of Redlands to their limit falling short of an upset 94-91 behind a season-opening 30 points from Ben Tellez Saturday afternoon.

The Lutes own the all-time series 2-1 over the Bulldogs with all three of the match ups being decided by less than 12 points. 

"I was really please with how we came out and established ourselves in the beginning of the game," Head Coach Chad Murray stated. "We competed really well the entire time, but some costly turnovers cost us dearly in the latter part of the game. I thought Ben was incredible tonight and he played like a senior which we can count on to perform in big moments. We'll learn a ton from this and we will use it to help us later on. Gotta pick ourselves up quickly as UC Santa Cruz will give us everything we can handle."

PLU got things going in the first half with a two point advantage at the break 43-41. Lutes shot 18-of-31 in the first half and went 4-of-11 from three-point range with Tellez leading the way with 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Mack Hepper also added nine points at the break to give the Lutes the advantage. In the 2nd half the Lutes shot a blistering 61.3% from the field and out rebounded Redlands 17-15.The difference maker in the second half was the free throw battle and turnover margin between both sides.The Bulldogs went to the line 16 times and converted 10 free throws to the Lutes three of four. Bulldogs were able to capitalize off 15 second half turnovers from the Lutes and turned that in to 23 points.

Dom Perasso also added 17 points shooting an efficient 8-of-11 from the field while adding four rebounds.

Lutes will be back in action on Sunday as they play University of California, Santa Cruz to end their California road trip. Tip-off is set for 1 PM.