Dec. 1, 2006

PLU Men Continue On Roll With Victory Over Linfield

Game Statistics

Pacific Lutheran opened up Northwest Conference men’s basketball play with an 85-79 victory over the Linfield Wildcats on Friday night Olson Auditorium. The Lutes are now 3-0 for the season and off to its hottest start since the 1990-91 season.

Pacific Lutheran scored the first basket and never looked back. The Lutes used a stifling and relentless defense early to build a 19-6 lead at the 10:19 mark. PLU went on to lead by as much as 21 points, 33-12, on a lay up by Josh Vanlandingham with 2:23 left in the half. At halftime PLU held a 37-23 lead. The Lutes out-rebounded the Wildcats 13-7 and held Linfield to 31 percent shooting at the half.

In the second half the Lutes held on to their double-digit lead until Evan Timperly hit a three for the Wildcats to put the score at 71-64 with 1:48 remaining. It wasn’t enough though as Landon Heidenreich’s lay up with 16 seconds remaining put the Lutes back up by nine. Linfield drops to 2-3 overall and 0-2 in conference play.

Sophomore guard Josh Dressler led the way for the Lutes, scoring 24 points in 31 minutes of action. Jared Brandeberry, a junior transfer from Wenatchee Valley College, had a big game for PLU. Brandeberry dropped in 15 points, dished out three assists, and grabbed 13 rebounds for the victorious Lutes. Junior post Scott McDaniels came off the bench and chipped in six points and grabbed nine boards in 22 minutes. Heidenreich ended up with 10 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.

The Lutes continue Northwest Conference tomorrow night as they play host to the Willamette Bearcats in Olson Auditorium. Tip off is at 8 p.m.

- PLU -