FOREST GROVE, Ore. — The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team extended its win streak to four on Friday evening inside the Stoller Center, punching its ticket to the 2025 Northwest Conference Tournament by vanquishing host Pacific University 73-63 in the penultimate game of the regular season. 
 
Miles Nash came off the bench and scored a team-high 20 points while reigning NWC Player of the Week Emmett Holt was equally as effective, finishing with 17 points to help the Lutes (13-11, 10-5 NWC) secure a spot in the league's four-team postseason for the first time since winning a share of the NWC title during the 2021-2022 campaign.

"I felt like the guys had a tremendous mindset of professionalism tonight. We played the right way for the first 30 minutes and then lost our minds for a bit but were able to keep control of the game. We defended extremely well and didn't let them get on any type of longer sustainable runs," said Head Coach Chad Murray.
 
The opening 12 minutes was a back and forth affair with three lead changes and three ties with neither team establishing a lead greater than four points. The homestanding Boxers (10-14, 5-10 NWC) led 19-16 with 10:55 left in the opening half before three straight free throws from Henry Smith tied the game. Pacific answered with a jumper the following possession but Liam Johnston punched back, draining a trey with 9:20 remaining to shift the lead back to PLU. The Lutes would hold a lead the rest of the game with Johnston's three part of a 26-10 run to establish a 14-point buffer. 
 
Pacific Lutheran enjoyed a 45-32 lead at the halftime intermission, a buffer that continued to grow in the second half. The Lutes enjoyed at least a nine-point cushion the entire second half, a lead that swelled to as many as 21 points with 10:59 remaining after Charlie Kapranos converted a three the old fashioned way.

Nash scored his 20 points in just 23 minutes of work, grabbing five rebounds and making a big impact at the free throw line where he sunk eight of his 10 attempts. Holt continued his hot hand from the field, shooting six-for-10 from the floor and three-for-six from three point land for his 17. Holt additionally had dive rebounds. Ben Tellez was the third Lute in double figures, scoring 11 while securing a team-best nine rebounds. Jason Montes had a team-best five assists while also adding seven rebounds and eight points.
 
PLU scorched the nets in the first half, shooting at a 62.5 percent clip (15-for-24). The Lutes outrebounded the Boxers 39-30 and had more made free throws (21) than the hosts had attempts (10). 

"We want to continue our positive momentum with a tough win tomorrow night at Lewis & Clark."

The Lutes still have plenty to play for heading into the regular season finale, still jockeying for final seeding as they face Lewis & Clark College tomorrow evening. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.