Dec. 28, 2007

Dressler Breaks Single-Game Scoring Record in PLU Victory

Josh Dressler - 48 points

Box Score

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Josh Dressler broke the Pacific Lutheran men's basketball single-game scoring record on Friday, tallying 48 points in leading the Lutes to an exciting 115-108 double overtime win over Ramapo (N.J.) at the Cactus Jam tournament.

Dressler, a junior wing from Vancouver, Wash., and Portland (Ore.) Lutheran High School, hit 13-of-27 shots from the field, including 7-of-17 from three-point range, and was 15-of-22 at the foul line in compiling his 48 points. In addition, Dressler added six assists and five rebounds while playing 47 of the game's 50 minutes. "He obviously played a great game today," PLU head coach Steve Dickerson said of Dressler, who earlier this season scored 38 points - then tied for sixth best on the all-time PLU single-game list - in a 92-86 loss to NCAA Division II Saint Martin's.

Dressler's record-setting performance comes almost 50 years after Pacific Lutheran great Chuck Curtis set the school record with a 44-point performance against Whitworth College on Feb. 15, 1958. Curtis went on to establish the Pacific Lutheran career scoring record with 2,173 points.

The Lutes (4-3) needed every one of Dressler's points in defeating Ramapo (5-5), which has won two of the past three New Jersey Athletic Conference titles. "This was a huge, huge win for us. They're big. You don't see athletes like that in very many Division III schools," PLU head coach Steve Dickerson said. "It was a terrific game, kind of a classic. It was enjoyable if you weren't coaching."

After a 40-40 halftime tie, the Roadrunners took an 11-point lead about halfway through the final half. The Lutes responded with a strong run and eventually led by seven points before regulation ended in a tie. The Lutes had a chance to win the game at the end of the first overtime but couldn't get the shot off in time. They took the advantage in the second overtime, however, and held on for the victory.

Freshmen Kyle MacTaggart, who played his prep basketball in nearby Goodyear, Ariz., scored a career-high 21 points for PLU. In addition, fellow freshmen Gregory Bogdan, Tommy Begalka and Victor Bull drew Dickerson's praise. "The young guys did some really good things," he said, adding that Begalka made "some critical foul shots down the stretch." Begalka made 5-of-6 free throws and finished with seven points.

Senior post Scott McDaniels added 17 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out. Bogdan also fouled out and MacTaggart, sophomore guard Gabe Smith and senior point guard Landon Heidenreich all had four fouls when the game ended.

Asaad Shaakir scored 28 points to lead the Roadrunners, who shot 44 percent for the game compared to 46 percent for the Lutes.

The Lutes play the winner of the Kean (N.J.) versus Wheaton (Mass.) game at noon on Saturday with the winner taking fourth place in the eight-team tournament.

- PLU -