TACOMA, Wash. — A 12-0 run in the second half swung the game in favor of the visitors on Saturday as the Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball squad saw senior day spoiled 79-70 at the hands of Northwest Conference rival Whitman College. 

Saturday's season finale had five lead changes and three ties. PLU (11-14, 5-11 NWC) seized its first lead of the second half on a Mack Hepper three with 16:52 left in the game but a technical foul put the Blues (10-15, 5-11 NWC) at the free throw line. Whitman hit one and drilled a three on its next possession, touching off a 12-0 spurt that built a double digit buffer at 49-39 with 14:15 left in the game.

PLU whittled the gap to four on a Zach Zuckerman three with 12:47 left but the Blues had an answer, swinging it back up to a double digit gap two minutes later. 
 
Cam Rice reduced the deficit to six on a pair of free throws with 9:15 remaining but Whitman scored 11 of the next 13 to rebuild a double-digit gap. PLU had one final charge, cutting it to seven on a Henry Smith three with 3:28 remaining but was unable to get any closer as the Blues held on for the nine-point win. 
 
Pacific Lutheran scored five of the first six points in a wild back and forth first half that saw Whitman hold a 31-28 halftime edge.
 
Ben Tellez tallied 20 points in his career finale, sinking two three-pointers in the process. His 73 treys this season ties him for third place on the single season list while he concludes the season having scored at least 19 points in 11 consecutive games.
 
Henry Smith added 14 points off the bench, hitting four three-pointers while Cam Rice added 10 with four assists. Julian Brown scored nine, had four assists, and three steals in his career finale. 
 
Saturday day was senior day with the program honoring seniors Dom Perasso, Julian Brown, Ben Tellez, and Mack Hepper. 
 
"All four of these guys represented our program at a very high level for the time that they were with us," said Head Coach Chad Murray.
 
"Mack being a four-year guy has really taken it upon himself to leave a legacy that will live on for a long time. A legacy of servant leadership, hard work, and being about others.
 
All four guys showed what it was like to be a great teammate in all different ways. Each unique to their own personality and strengths. Each one of them can hold their heads high for what they've accomplished here at PLU. These guys are more than ready for the next steps of their life."