PORTLAND, ORE.— The Pacific Lutheran University Men's basketball team fell to the Lewis & Clark Collge River Otters 85-68 despite a team-high 23 points from Ben Tellez Friday evening.

PLU came in to this contest was 9-8 overall and 3-5 in Northwest Conference play. 

The first half began with the Lutes and River Otters going back and forth. Ben Tellez and Henry Smith got the ball rolling offensively with 14 points and nine points respectively. Lewis & Clark had their biggest lead of the first half at 10 points with 6:22 remaining in the first half. PLU being down two starters Smith and Cam Rice were called upon to start and play major minutes and capitalized on their time. Rice had six points and five rebounds in the first half.

The closest the game would be would the halftime score as the River Otters continued to add on to their lead. PLU dominated on the glass out rebounding LC 38-29. The biggest difference make for Lewis & Clark was their shooting from the three-point line hitting 10-of-25 from distance. PLU shot 6-of-24 from three which ties their second lowest amount of makes on the season. The Lutes are 4-0 when they hit 12 or more three-pointers on the season.

Smith would finish the game with 16 points his fifth time in the last six games scoring in double figures. Rice would round out the top-three scorers with nine points and nine rebounds. 

PLU returns to action to more as they travel to play George Fox University with tip-off set for 5 PM.