Lutes Dial Up Long Distance Win At Simon Fraser

BURNABY, B.C. - Pacific Lutheran scorched the nets at a 46 percent rate from three-point range in defeating host Simon Fraser, 79-72, in an exhibition men's basketball game played here Tuesday night.

The Lutes hit 10-of-23 three-point attempts while SFU struggled from beyond the arc, making just 29 percent of their long-range shots. Junior wing Kyle MacTaggart hit 4-of-7 from three-point range and knocked down all seven of his free throws to lead the Lutes with 23 points. He also contributed seven rebounds and three steals in 26 minutes of action.

PLU raced out to a 17-7 lead about eight minutes into the game and never trailed in the opening half, eventually settling for a 37-33 advantage at the break. Simon Fraser was able to stay in the game by getting to the free throw line in the opening half, connecting on 11-of-12 free throw attempts. PLU, meanwhile, attempted only two free throws during the first half.

Chas Kok gave SFU its first lead of the game in the opening moments of the third quarter, connecting on two straight three-pointers to give the Clan a 39-37 lead. That advantage was short lived, however, as the Lutes utilized a 17-5 run to regain the lead. SFU pulled to within one, 67-66, following a Kevin Pribilsky layup, but the Lutes responded with an 8-0 run to put the game away. Andrew Earnest started the burst with a three-point shot and MacTaggart added to it with four consecutive free throws.

Earnest finished with 15 points, James Conti chipped in 13 points and five assists, and Curtis Trondsen added 10 points for the winners. PLU shot 43 percent (26-of-61) from the field and 81 percent (17-of-21) from the foul line for the game. The Lutes also enjoyed a 40-38 rebounding edge.

Pribilsky led SFU with 17 points, while Kok chimed in with 16 points and nine rebounds.

Pacific Lutheran opens Northwest Conference play at 6 p.m. Saturday when it faces Linfield in McMinnville, Ore.

- PLU -