Dec. 19, 2006

MEN'S BASKETBALL: Lutes Play Twice During Christmas Break

THIS WEEK: Pacific Lutheran at Concordia-Portland, Dec. 27, 7 p.m.; PLU hosts Puget Sound Christian, Dec. 30, 7 p.m.

LUTES DROP CLOSE GAME TO EVERGREEN: Sophomore guard Josh Dressler (Vancouver, Wash. / Portland Lutheran HS) from Pacific Lutheran and Devon Conner-Green from Evergreen State each poured in 28 points, but it was the visiting Geoducks who came out on top, 80-75, in a non-conference men’s basketball game played last Saturday night at Olson Auditorium. The loss was the Lutes’ third in a row after opening the season with four straight victories. The visiting Geoducks stayed away from the three-point shot for the most part, attempting just four during the game. Their ability to get close-range looks at the basket paid off as they shot 59 percent for the game. Conner-Green was 10-of-12 from the field and also knocked in 7-of-8 at the foul line. He also led all players with 12 rebounds. The Geoducks attempted 35 free throws to just nine for the Lutes. As it was, they survived a late challenge by the Lutes. Junior guard Kurt Oliver (Redlands, Calif. / Rim of the World HS) knocked in a long three-point field with 18.6 seconds left to pull the Lutes to within two points, 77-75. After a Geoduck free throw, the Lutes had a chance to tie the game with another three-pointer, but Jermaine Smith stole a pass and converted two foul shots with 3.9 seconds left to wrap up the victory for the Geoducks. Smith finished the game with 14 points. Dressler made four consecutive three-point field goals early in the second half and finished the game 6-of-15 from long-range. The Lutes were 13-of-31 from beyond the arc for the game.

NICE RETURN: Josh Dressler had missed the Lutes’ two previous games after injuring his left (non-shooting) shoulder during a practice. He was held out of the Portland State and Northwest games as a precaution. Early in the Evergreen game he went into the stands in pursuit of a loose ball, showing that his shoulder had sufficiently recovered from the injury. After making just 2-of-9 from long range in the first half, he warmed up against Evergreen in the final 20 minutes.

CHRISTMAS BREAK SCHEDULE: The Lutes will have their final pre-Christmas practice on Tuesday, Dec. 19, then will take a week off before returning for a Dec. 26 practice in preparation for the following day’s game at Concordia in Portland, Ore. After the Dec. 27 game at Concordia, the Lutes host Puget Sound Christian at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30.

ABOUT CONCORDIA: Pacific Lutheran and Concordia met twice last year with the Cavaliers sweeping the games, 104-67 on Dec. 10 in Portland, and 84-75 on Dec. 17 at Olson Auditorium. The two schools have met each other 10 times in men’s basketball with PLU winning seven of those games. PLU last beat Concordia, 82-72, during the 1996-97 season.

NUMBERS DON’T ALWAYS TELL THE STORY: Statistics sometimes can be misleading. For instance, who would believe that the Lutes are 4-3 this season while shooting only 39 percent from the field? It’s true. In addition, the perimeter (three-point) shooting, which figured to be a strength this year, is hardly that at 28 percent for the season. Once the Lutes start finding the range at a more consistent pace, they figure to be even more successful than they have been.

LUTE LEADERS: Josh Dressler leads four PLU players in double figures, averaging 20 points per game. He is joined by senior wing Josh Vanlandingham (Snohomish, Wash. / Everett CC) at 14.4, junior wing Jared Brandeberry (Cashmere, Wash. / Wenatchee Valley CC) at 13.1, and junior point guard Landon Heidenreich (Vancouver, Wash. / Skyview HS) at 11.3. Brandeberry and junior post Scott McDaniels (Sammamish, Wash. / Eastlake HS) share the team lead with 6.1 rebounds per game, while Heidenreich averages 5.0 assists per contest.

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