The Loggers improve to a conference-best 14-1 and an overall record of 20-3. The Lutes drop to 5-19 overall, and 3-12 in the conference.
Drew Cardwell, Landon Heidenreich, Kurt Oliver, and Brian Jochim combined for 65 of PLU's 79 points. The Loggers had five players in double figures, with Zack McVey leading the way with a game-high 24 points.
The Lutes never led through game, falling behind early 10-4 after a jumper by UPS's Aubrey Shelton. The Lutes brought the score within one at 17-16 after a 3-pointer by Brian Jochim. PLU was within single digits the entire first half until 36 seconds left when the Loggers increased their lead to 47-37 after two free throws by Jeremy Cross. The Loggers had an 11 point lead at halftime, 55-44.
The Loggers jumped out early in the second half, going up by as much as 19 points with just four minutes into the half with the score 65-46. PLU got within 14 points at the 12 minute mark with the score 69-55, their smallest deficit of the second half. UPS scored eight unanswered points, taking a 78-59 advantage, capped off with two free throws by McVey. The Loggers' largest lead of the night came with over five minutes remaining, a 22 point lead at 88-66. Cardwell's jumper proved to be the final basket of the game.
Puget Sound vs Pacific Lutheran 02/25/05 8:00 p.m. at Tacoma, Wash. (Olson Auditorium) At Tacoma, Wash. (Olson Auditorium) PUGET SOUND 96, PACIFIC LUTHERAN 79 PUGET SOUND (20-3, 14-1 NWC) McVey, Zack 7-11 10-12 24; Curtiss, Chase 5-8 2-2 16; Shelton, Aubrey 4-5 6-6 15; Cross, Jeremy 4-14 6-8 15; O'Donnell, Chris 4-7 2-2 11; DeLong, Ryan 2-3 2-4 6; Wood, Weston 1-1 0-0 3; Walker, Josh 1-3 1-5 3; Marsh, Taylor 1-1 0-0 3; Beede, Jordan 0-2 0-0 0; Buehler, Vincent 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 29-56 29-39 96. PACIFIC LUTHERAN (5-19, 3-12 Nc) Oliver, Kurt 7-14 2-4 20; Cardwell, Drew 8-18 3-4 19; Heidenreich, Landon 5-6 3-4 15; Jochim, Brian 2-5 6-8 11; Sinnes, Matt 3-3 0-2 6; Mehalechko, Andrew 2-6 0-0 4; Carstensen, Jake 0-3 3-4 3; Ash, Gabe 0-1 1-2 1; Lipscomb, Jake 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-57 18-28 79. Puget Sound................... 55 41 - 96 Pacific Lutheran.............. 44 35 - 79 3-point goals-Puget Sound 9-20 (Curtiss, Chase 4-7; O'Donnell, Chris 1-2; Cross, Jeremy 1-3; Shelton, Aubrey 1-2; Wood, Weston 1-1; Marsh, Taylor 1-1; Beede, Jordan 0-2; Buehler, Vincent 0-1; Walker, Josh 0-1), Pacific Lutheran 7-20 (Oliver, Kurt 4-7; Heidenreich, Landon 2-2; Jochim, Brian 1-3; Mehalechko, Andrew 0-3; Carstensen, Jake 0-2; Cardwell, Drew 0-3). Fouled out--Puget Sound-None, Pacific Lutheran-Ash, Gabe; Sinnes, Matt. Rebounds-Puget Sound 38 (McVey, Zack 7; Cross, Jeremy 7; DeLong, Ryan 7), Pacific Lutheran 28 (Cardwell, Drew 6). Assists-Puget Sound 11 (Walker, Josh 3), Pacific Lutheran 13 (Heidenreich, Landon 8). Total fouls-Puget Sound 23, Pacific Lutheran 28. A-1700