Nov. 28, 2006

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Lutes Return to PLU for Home Opener

TODAY’S GAME CANCELLED: The Lutes were set to travel north to Bellingham to play the Western Washington Vikings tonight but due to weather conditions the game has been postponed. The game has not yet been rescheduled. Today’s game would have been the 132nd meeting between the two historic programs. PLU leads the all-time series with a 71-61 advantage. The Lutes and Vikings did not play each other last year, but two seasons ago, Western took a 103-60 victory over PLU.

HOME OPENER/CONFERENCE OPENER: PLU plays its home opener against the Linfield College Wildcats in Olson Auditorium this Friday. The game will also be the Northwest Conference opener for both squads. Since the Northwest Conference added a conference tournament at the end of the season, each school opens conference play in early December. On Saturday, the Lutes stay home in Olson as they host the Willamette University Bearcats. Tip off for both games is set at 8 p.m.

HOT START: The 2-0 Lutes were off last week but are off to their best start since their 2001-02 campaign. Pacific Lutheran’s two victories came against Menlo College and UC-Santa Cruz at the UPS Tip-Off Classic. PLU beat Menlo 80-74 on Nov. 17. Junior forward Jared Brandeberry (Cashmere, Wash. / Wenatchee Valley CC) scored 22 points to lead the Lutes. The following evening, the Lutes captured their second victory with a 84-79 success over the UCSC Banana Slugs. PLU was lead by sophomore guard Josh Dressler (Vancouver, Wash. / Portland Lutheran HS) who scored 22 points, dished out five assists, and grabbed seven rebounds in the victory. Dressler was named to the all-tournament team for his performances and junior point guard Landon Heidenreich (Vancouver, Wash. / Skyview HS) was also honored as a honorable mention Northwest Conference Player of the Week after averaging 14 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists for PLU. “We needed these wins,” said head coach Steve Dickerson. “These guys have worked hard.”

THE OPPONENTS: Linfield comes into the game with 2-1 record. The Wildcats opened the season with an 88-86 overtime loss to Holy Names and followed that up with a 93-80 win over Corban College and an 83-73 victory over Cascade College last week. Senior forward Evan Timperly leads the way for Linfield averaging 26 points while shooting 53 percent from the field. Willamette is off to a slow start with a 1-3 record. The Bearcats losses have come to Albertson College, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, and Pomona-Pitzer. Their lone victory came against Eastern Oregon with a close 83-80 victory. Freshman post Dan Nugent leads the Bearcats in scoring, averaging 15 points a game and is also shooting a scorching 71 percent from the field.

LAST SEASON: The Lutes and Wildcats played in three games with Linfield taking two out three. In the first math-up the Lutes came up just short of a victory as the Cats were victorious 76-73 in a non-conference game at the Cactus Jam Tournament in Arizona. Senior wing Josh Vanlandingham (Snohomish, Wash. / Everett CC) led the Lutes with 17 points. In the second match-up PLU turned the table as they defeated Linfield 96-87 in Olson Auditorium. Drew Cardwell scored 27 in the win for the Lutes. The Cats took the third game with a 82-74 at Linfield. As is the case this season, the Lutes played Willamette in December for the second conference game of the season. PLU traveled to Willamette but the Bearcats came up with an 82-65 win. The two teams met again in January at PLU, but Willamette didn’t skip a beat as they beat the Lutes 80-65.

SERIES NOTES: Pacific Lutheran leads the all-time series against Linfield with a 64-50 advantage. With the two victories last season, Willamette leads the all-time series 47-46. PLU and Willamette first met in 1933.

RADIO/INTERNET COVERAGE: All PLU basketball games will be broadcast in the Tacoma area on KLAY 1180 AM. The broadcasts will also be on the worldwide web at www.klay1180.com. The legendary Bob Robertson will call the games for Pacific Lutheran.

PLAYER QUOTE: “We’re more discipline, more cohesive, and play together more as a team,” said junior post Matt Sinnes (Port Angeles, Wash. / Port Angeles HS). “We’re going to get out and play hard.”

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