Jan. 5, 2008

Lutes Stun Preseason Favorite Pioneers, 108-95

Scott McDaniels - 29 and 11

Gabe Smith - clutch free throws

Box Score

PORTLAND, Ore. - Pacific Lutheran, picked by conference coaches to place fifth in the Northwest Conference this year, stunned preseason favorite Lewis & Clark, 108-95, in a men's basketball game played on Saturday night at Pamplin Sports Center.

The Lutes are now 2-0 in conference play and 6-4 overall, while the Pioneers, ranked No. 16 in the country, fall to 1-1 in the conference and 7-3 overall. The loss ended a strong of 15 consecutive home court victories for the Pioneers.

The Pioneers, playing without starters Josh Kollasch and Gene Rivera, jumped out to a quick 18-9 advantage, fueled by two early three-point baskets by Mark Robinowitz. The Lutes tied the game at 25-25 on a three-pointer by Josh Dressler with 10 minutes remaining in the half, and they held a 40-35 advantage at halftime.

With six ties and six lead changes in the second half, the Lutes broke a 69-69 deadlock on Jared Brandeberry's three-point shot with eight minutes remaining, and they would never trail again. The Pioneers twice got to within one point, the final time at 85-84 on a layup by Tyson Papenfuss, but the Lutes answered immediately with a layup by Scott McDaniels.

PLU took a 91-84 lead on Jared Brandeberry's three-point basket with 2:45 remaining in the game, only to see Joey Toboni answer with his own trey seconds later to pull the Pioneers to within four points. That was as close as they would get, however, as the Lutes made big plays down the stretch.

Clinging to a 96-91 lead with about one minute to play, the Lutes used strong free throw shooting to ice the game. Josh Dressler and Brandeberry both hit a pair of charity tosses, and Gabe Smith made six without a miss as the Lutes pulled away for the win. In fact, free throw shooting proved to be a big difference in the game as the Lutes made 25-of-33 attempts while the Pioneers attempted 11, making nine of those.

The 68 points PLU scored in the second half set a single game school record for points in a half. The previous record of 65 points was set against Northwest University in 1989.

McDaniels had a big game for the Lutes with 29 points and 11 rebounds, while Brandeberry, playing only his second game after coming back from a fractured left foot, buried 24 points. Dressler finished the game with 23 points and Smith ended up with 14 more.

Lewis & Clark had six players in double figures, with Robinowitz scoring all of his team-high 24 points on a career-high eight three-point baskets. Starters scored 84 of the Pioneers' 95 total points.

Both teams shot the ball well, the visiting Lutes hitting 55 percent from the field, including 44 percent (11-of-25) from beyond the three-point arc. Lewis & Clark had even more impressive numbers, knocking down 59 percent overall and 46 percent (12-of-26) from long range. Pacific Lutheran controlled the rebounding category, 35-26.

The Lutes return to action at 8 p.m. Tuesday in a Northwest Conference contest against nationally ranked Puget Sound, which is 9-1 overall and 2-0 in the conferrence.

- PLU -