Feb. 23, 2008

Howe About Garold! Pacific Big Man Leads Boxers Past Lutes

Box Score

Nice finish, Jared!

Josh Dressler - 500!

PARKLAND, Wash. – About one month ago, Pacific University’s Garold Howe had his way with Pacific Lutheran, scoring 40 points in leading the Boxers to victory.

On Saturday night in Olson Auditorium, the 6-6 Howe did it again, pouring in 29 points as the Boxers defeated the Lutes, 72-64, in the season finale for both teams. Pacific Lutheran ends up with an 11-13 overall record, including a 7-9 record in conference play. The Boxers finished 11-14 overall and 9-7 in the Northwest Conference.

Howe was 13-for-20 from the field and made three of his four three-point attempts in leading both teams in scoring. He also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. Pacific’s strong interior play was also reflected in 18 points and seven rebounds by another 6-6 post, Joe Van Domelen. Other major contributors for the Boxers were A.J. Gaulton with 11 points, Donny Harrison-Davis with 10 points and five assists, and Ryan Turcott with seven assists.

The first half was close with nine lead changes and four ties. The Boxers led by five points on several occasions in the first half while the Lutes managed a three-point lead on the first basket of the game by Jared Brandeberry. That field goal offered a story in itself because Brandeberry, a senior who is suffering from several injuries, played only as long as it took him to make the shot – 14 seconds. He came out of the game to a nice ovation and put a cap on a memorable two-year PLU basketball career.

Leading 33-30 at the half, Pacific started pulling away in the opening minutes of the second half, eventually opening a 51-38 advantage on a three-pointer by Howe with 13:18 left in the game. Pacific Lutheran was able to whittle the deficit to six points, 57-51, on Victor Bull’s basket with 8:07 left, but it never got closer than that.

PLU head coach Steve Dickerson pulled his other two seniors, point guard Landon Heidenreich and post Scott McDaniels, with 35 seconds left in the game. Heidenreich finished with 11 points, six assists and four steals, while McDaniels had eight points and five rebounds.

Another important story line for the Lutes involved Josh Dressler, the junior wing who needed 14 points in tonight’s game to reach 500 for the season. He finished exactly with 14, ending with 500 and becoming the 12th player in Pacific Lutheran men's basketball history to reach that milestone.

Dressler was the Lutes’ leading scorer, followed by Kyle MacTaggart with 12 points and Heidenreich with his 11 points.

- PLU -