Dec. 30, 2006

Pacific Lutheran Runs Away in Second Half, Beats PSCC 105-62

Josh Dressler - 29 points

Game Statistics

TACOMA, Wash. – Pacific Lutheran broke away from a five-point halftime lead, outscoring visiting Puget Sound Christian College by 38 points in the second half to post a 105-62 non-conference men’s basketball victory on Saturday night in Olson Auditorium.

With the victory, Pacific Lutheran improves to 5-4 for the season. The Anchors, on the other hand, suffered their 17th loss without a victory.

The Anchors stayed in the game in the first half with hot three-point shooting, making 8-of-12 from long range. Chris Reichert was 4-of-7 from beyond the arc and Joseph Smith and Glen Suckow hit both of their treys as PSCC hung with the Lutes. PSCC held its last lead at 8-7 on Nick Craig’s layup with 17:54 left in the first half. The last tie, 23-23, came when Cole Sandahl hit a jumper at the 9:22 mark.

Meanwhile, PLU struggled from the floor, hitting just 38 percent of their shots, including 21 percent (3-of-14) from beyond the three-point line. In addition, the Lutes were just 8-of-20 from the free throw line in the opening period.

In the second half, the Lutes pounded the ball inside and dominated in the rebound category. PLU shot 53 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes and also out-rebounded the visitors, 35-15, over the same period.

Sophomore guard Josh Dressler scored 19 of his game-high 29 points in the second half. Scott McDaniels had 16 points, Brian Misterek 12 and Jared Brandeberry 10, with many of their points coming on second-chance baskets. McDaniel had nine rebounds and Misterek added eight off the bench for the Lutes. Point guard Landon Heidenreich added 10 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in helping the Lutes to the victory.

Reichert led PSCC with 15 points, all of his points coming on three-point baskets. Smith added 13 points and Suckow chipped in with 12 for the Anchors.

Pacific Lutheran returns to Northwest Conference action on Wednesday, Jan. 3, when it hosts the Puget Sound Loggers at 8 p.m. in Olson Auditorium.

- PLU -