Feb. 16, 2008

Lutes Drop Fourth Game in a Row as They Fall to Whitman, 75-71

Box Score

WALLA WALLA – The Pacific Lutheran basketball team dropped its fourth game in a row with a 75-71 loss to Whitman College - giving them their first Northwest Conference victory of the season - Saturday night in Sherwood Center.

Chris Faidley, a 6-foot-2 junior guard and the NWC's scoring leader, had a huge night for the Missionaries. Faidley posted his fifth double-double of the season with 26 points and 10 rebounds and was seven of 15 from the 3-point line, Faidley had plenty of help with all five Whitman starters scoring in double figures. Graham Brewer had a huge game in the paint, ripping off 14 rebounds while blocking three shots and scoring 10 points.

Josh Dressler led Pacific Lutheran (10-12, 6-8) with 19 points, five rebounds and four assists. Scott McDaniels added 12 points and nine boards, and Gabe Smith had 10 points.

Whitman (5-17, 1-13), which led by as many as 13 points in the first half, rallied after falling behind 62-57 with 7:45 left in the game. Faidley drilled back-to-back 3-pointers, the second one falling from NBA range, to give the Missionaries a 63-62 lead with 5:26 remaining. PLU's Landon Heidenreich countered with a two-point jumper, but Faidley struck again from the 3-point stripe for a 66-64 Whitman lead at the 3:45 mark.

Whitman extended its lead to 73-68 with just over a minute left on the clock. Smith gave the Lutes a final chance, hitting a 3-pointer with 48 seconds remaining, but clutch free throws by Whitman put the game out of range for the Lutes.

The Lutes are back in Parkland next weekend when they host Linfield Friday night and Pacific Saturday night.

(Courtesy of Whitman Sports Information Department)