MCMINNVILLE, ORE.— The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team's comeback fell short as the Linfield University Wildcats held on to win 74-64 on the road Friday evening.

Coming in today's contest PLU was in sixth place in the Northwest Conference standings. Lutes had won five of their last six meetings between the Wildcats.

Both teams started trading baskets early with Ben Tellez, Dom Perasso, and Henry Smith getting on the board early. Lutes shot 32.4 percent from the field and 18.8 percent from three. Wildcats keep a slight advantage in the first half going up 12 points 39-27.

The lead would balloon up to 18 points with 17:13 remaining in the second half. Tellez and Jamie McGrail would go on 12-2 run and reduce Linfield's lead to six points with 10 minutes left. McGrail and Henry Smith would continue to wreak havoc in the passing lanes getting several steals scoring baskets off turnovers making the score 69-64 with three minutes left.

Tellez would finish with 23 points and six rebounds. Smith finished the game with 13 points and five rebounds. McGrail rounded out the top three performers with nine points, three steals, two assists and two rebounds.

PLU returns to action tomorrow, February 14th on the road against Pacific University with tip-off slated for 5 PM.