Nov. 21, 2006

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Lutes Are Off and Running With a 2-0 Start

THIS WEEK: PLU has the week off, but will resume action next week as they travel to Bellingham to take on Division II regional power Western Washington University at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28. PLU leads the all-time series against the Vikings 71-60.

LAST WEEK: The Lutes are off to their best start since the 2001-02 season following victories over Menlo College and UC Santa Cruz at the UPS Tip-Off Classic. With the two victories, the Lutes start the 2006-07 season with a 2-0 record. PLU took the first game against Menlo with an 80-74 victory. Junior forward Jared Brandeberry (Cashmere, Wash. / Wenatchee Valley CC) scored 22 points and junior point guard Landon Heidenreich (Vancouver, Wash. / Skyview HS) had a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds in the Lutes’ successful season opener. Brandeberry made 8-of-11 shots from the field, including all three of his three-point attempts, and he added seven rebounds. Heidenreich, a three-year starter, made 7-of-10 from the foul line and added four assists. Sophomore guard Josh Dressler (Vancouver, Wash. / Portland Lutheran HS) also played 39 minutes and scored 16 points for the winners. Senior wing Josh Vanlandingham (Snohomish, Wash. / Everett CC), the team’s leading returning scorer from last season, came off the bench to tally 12 points in 19 minutes for the victorious Lutes. On Saturday, the Lutes battled the Banana Slugs of UC Santa Cruz. The Slugs scored the first basket, but after that it was all PLU as the Lutes never trailed again. When Vanlandingham hit a layup with 12:11 remaining, the Lutes had their largest lead of the game at 61-34. Then, over the next 9 1/2 minutes, the Banana Slugs outscored the Lutes 38-16 to pull within five points. UCSC made a basket to make the score 77-72 with 2:33 left to play, and the Slugs hit a three-pointer to cut PLU's advantage to 82-79 with four seconds left. UCSC fouled Dressler and the sophomore guard hit both free throws for the final margin. Dressler led all scorers with 22 points, and he added seven rebounds and five assists to the PLU cause. Vanlandingham had 19 points off the bench, and reserve junior post Scott McDaniels (Sammamish, Wash. Eastlake HS) had his best game as a collegian with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

DRESSLER EARNS TOURNAMENT HONORS: Josh Dressler was named to the all-tournament team after his performances for the Lutes at the UPS Tip-Off Classic. Dressler played 39 minutes against Menlo, scoring 16 points, adding two assists and three steals. Against UC Santa Cruz, Dressler scored 22 points in 34 minutes. He also added seven rebounds, five assists, two blocked shots, and three more steals to help PLU improve its record to 2-0.

HEIDENREICH HONORED: Landon Heidenreich earned honorable mention Northwest Conference Player of the Week recognition after his strong performance in PLU's season-opening wins. Heidenreich averages 14 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game at this early stage of the season.

HOME OPENER: Pacific Lutheran’s home opener will be on Friday, Dec.1 in Olson Auditorium against Linfield College. The game is also the Lutes' opener for Northwest Conference play. The following day, Dec. 2, PLU will host the Willamette Bearcats in conference action. Tip off for both games is at 8 p.m.

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