Shooting Woes Hamper Lutes in 85-56 Loss to Northwest

Game Statistics

Josh Vanlandingham - 16 points for Lutes

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Northwest University limited Pacific Lutheran to 35 percent shooting from the field, including a woeful 1-of-14 from beyond the three-point line, in defeating the visiting Lutes, 85-56, in a non-conference men’s basketball game played Friday night.

The loss was the second in a row for the Lutes after they had opened the season with four consecutive wins. Northwest is now 10-3 for the season.

With leading scorer Josh Dressler sidelined for the second straight game because of shoulder injury suffered in Tuesday's practice, the Lutes had trouble finding the mark from the field.

Their only three-point field goal of the night, by Jared Brandeberry, gave the Lutes a 9-6 lead at the 17:10 mark of the first half. PLU never led by more than that, and when Nate Yokers hit a layup to give the hosts an 18-17 lead with 9:17 left in the half, Northwest never again trailed.

Northwest led by 10 at half, 41-31, and never led by less than eight points from that point on. The hosts led by as much as 31 points on several occasions late in the game before settling for the 29-point victory.

Chris Keller led a balanced scoring attack with 18 points, while Aaron Sawyer had 15 points and 11 rebounds for the winners. Northwest shot 50 percent from the field and owned a 42-36 advantage in rebounds.

For the second straight game, senior wing Josh Vanlandingham led the Lutes in both scoring with 16 points and in rebounding with seven. Junior point guard Landon Heidenreich added 14 points in a losing cause.

The Lutes return to action on Saturday, Dec. 16, when they host Evergreen State at 8 p.m. in Olson Auditorium.

- PLU -