Dec. 15, 2007

Lutes Defeat Simon Fraser, 65-62, in Men's Basketball Exhibition Game

Kyle MacTaggart - defensive heroics

Box Score

PARKLAND, Wash. - Kyle MacTaggart blocked a three-point attempt by Matt Kuzminski at the buzzer and Pacific Lutheran held on to defeat Simon Fraser, 65-62, in a men's basketball exhibition game played Monday night in Olson Auditorium.

The visiting Clan had a chance at the game-tying shot after rebounding a PLU miss on the other end. They swung a pass to Kuzminski on the right wing but MacTaggart, a freshman wing, closed quickly and swatted the shot away at the buzzer sounded.

Simon Fraser held its biggest lead of the game, 37-30, at halftime, but the Lutes started the second half with an 11-4 run to tie the score at 41-41 on Landon Heidenreich's layup with 13:25 remaining. PLU also led by as much as seven points, 61-54, that coming on MacTaggart's three-point basket with 2:00 remaining. Gabe Smith found MacTaggart on the left wing and his shot barely beat the shot clock before falling through the net.

The Lutes took a 65-59 lead on Dressler's free throws with 55.8 seconds left to play, but Greg Wallis hit a three-point shot with 44.9 seconds left to pull his team within reach. That set up MacTaggart's game-ending defensive heroics.

Wallis had a huge game for Simon Fraser, leading all players with 30 points and 16 rebounds. He hit 12-of-19 shots and also contributed three assists during 36 minutes of action.

For the Lutes, Dressler scored 17 points, followed by Scott McDaniels with 16 points and 12 rebounds. MacTaggart had 12 points off the bench, and Heidenreich finished with 10 points and five assists.

The Lutes return to action at 10 a.m. (MST) Thursday, Dec. 27, when they face Wartburg (Iowa) in a first round game of the Cactus Jam in Phoenix, Ariz.

- PLU -