Feb. 16, 2007

Big Halftime Lead Carries Lutes Past Bruins, 78-66

Game Statistics

NEWBERG, Ore. – Struggling from the field, at the line, and on the boards in the first half, the George Fox University Bruins fell behind by 20 points at halftime and never seriously threatened thereafter as the Pacific Lutheran University Lutes coasted to a 78-66 victory in a Northwest Conference men’s basketball game Friday night here at the Wheeler Sports Center’s Miller Gym.

Phil Heu-Weller’s three-point field goal gave George Fox its only lead of 7-4 just over four minutes into the game, but a three by Gabe Smith and two free throws by Lawrence Brooks put PLU ahead 9-7 with 15 minutes left in the half, and the Lutes never looked back. Josh Dressler, who had 12 points in the half, hit a three to give PLU a double-digit lead for good 25-13 with 7:31 left, and it was 40-20 at the break after an Andrew Eisentrout layup with 35 seconds to go. The Bruins shot only .280 (7-25) in the half, hit .400 (4-10) from the line, and were out-rebounded 24-15.

Scott McDaniels’ jumper to open the second half gave PLU its largest lead at 42-20, and the gap stayed between 14 and 18 points over the next 14 minutes or so. The Bruins finally got within 10 twice in the final minute-and-a-half, only to have Dressler hit two free throws and McDaniels a dunk to maintain the margin. The Bruins’ shooting improved to .464 (13-28) in the half, but it was not nearly enough to overcome the first-half problems, enabling the Lutes to snap a six-game losing streak to the Bruins.

Dressler led all scorers with 18 points for the Lutes, McDaniels scored 17, Jared Brandeberry posted a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Eisentrout added 10 points. Landon Heidenreich and Brandeberry handed out five assists each.

Evan Atwater came off the bench to lead the Bruins with 16 points, Chris Parker added 14, and Heu-Weller and Brent Satern had 10 apiece. Satern passed out eight assists and had four steals. Brady Strutz was the Bruins’ top rebounder with nine.

George Fox (12-12, NWC 7-8) hosts Lewis & Clark College, which will be seeking a share of the conference title with Whitworth College, while Pacific Lutheran (9-13, NWC 6-9) goes to Pacific University for their final regular-season games Saturday, both starting at 8 p.m. NWC women’s games precede the men’s games at 6 p.m.

(Courtesy George Fox Sports Information Office)