Blake Solomon's 16 points wasn't enough tonight in the game against PLU.
PLU Edges Northwest in Benefit Game
PARKLAND, Wash. – Blake Solomon’s missed its mark at the buzzer as Pacific Lutheran edged Northwest University 67-64 tonight in a non-conference game in Olson Auditorium. The game was a benefit for the four Lakewood police officers who were slain near the campus on Nov. 29 and over $4,000 was raised during the game including a donation presented by Northwest U.
The game was close throughout with 8 ties and 11 lead changes. Neither team could pull away in the first half as PLU would take a 14-9 lead on A Curtis Trondsen jumper, but Northwest would answer with 5 straight points of their own capped off by a Greg George free throw to tie the game at 14. After two ties, NU would pull away to gain a 20-16 lead on a Tyson Christie dunk, but the Lutes would battle back to tie the game at 20 all with 3:16 left in the half with Kyle MacTaggart canning three straight free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt by Christie. NU would regain the lead, 28-24, on a Rich Skillman free throw, but Curtis Trondsen would answer with a layup with 4 seconds on the clock to make it 28-26 at halftime.
The second half was more of the same as Northwest would hold s slim lead for 8 minutes and 16 seconds when PLU’s post, Victor Bull would put in two free throws to re-take the lead at 44-43. With 10:02 left in the game, Tyson Christie would put NU up 47-45. The lead would see-saw back and forth until Northwest would pull ahead by 7, 59-52 with 4:50 to go, but then PLU would explode on a 10-1 run over the next two minutes to regain the lead 62-60 after Cameron Reister’s trey. Guard James Conti’s layup on a fast break would put the Lutes up 4, 64-60 with 2:30 remaining in the game. Three free throws by NU’s Blake Solomon would break the Lutes’ run and make it 64-63 at the 2:12 mark. Victor Bull would score a layup on a set play to give PLU a 66-63 lead with 1:38 left in the game. Greg George would pull the Eagles to within two (66-64) making one of two free throws. With 46 seconds remaining NU would force a PLU turnover, but a Solomon 3-point attempt would miss the mark, but NU’s Tyson Christie was there to grab the offensive rebound with 23 seconds left. After an Eagle time out, Tyson Christie, missed a shot attempt while being closely guarded and PLU grabbed the rebound with 5.9 seconds to go. The Lutes’ Gabe Smith would make one of two from the charity stripe, missing the second as the Eagles pushed the ball up the court for Solomon’s final 3-point attempt as time would run out.
Blake Solomon led Northwest U. 6-5, 2-0 CCC) with 16 points while Tyson Christie and Greg George each contributed 14 a piece for the Eagles. George added 9 rebounds but NU lost the rebounding battle with PLU, 40-32 and gave up 16 offensive rebounds which allowed 17 PLU second chance points.
Kyle MacTaggart and Curtis Trondsen led PLU (3-4) with 13 points a piece and Victor Bull added 11 for the Lutes whose bench outscored Northwest, 31-15. PLU shot 44% from the 3-point line making 8 of 18 attempts.
"We're still learning how good we can be," commented Head Coach John Van Dyke, "and we are struggling with consistency of play. We'll take a few days off and get back to work to improve and prepare for our next two conference games with Northwest Christian and Corban after final exams next week."
The Eagles will break for final exams next week and resume Cascade Conference play on December 21 as they travel to Eugene, Ore. to play Northwest Christian.