BOX SCORE

PARKLAND, Wash. – The Lewis & Clark men's basketball team put together a stellar offensive performance from behind the three-point arc to earn a 77-66 Northwest Conference win over the Pacific Lutheran Lutes on Friday night in Olson Auditorium.

The Pioneers move to 11-3 on the season and 4-1 in conference action. Lewis & Clark is in sole possession of second place in the conference standings, just one game out of first place, which is currently held by the Whitworth Pirates. The Lutes fall to 8-6 overall and 3-3 in NWC play.

Senior Kelly Edwards paced the Pioneers with a game-high 23 points and seven rebounds. PJ Taylor put up 17 points for the Pios, while Kyle Meeuwsen finished with 14.

James Conti led the Lutes with 16 points and received 15 more from Andrew Earnest.

The first half began with both teams hitting jumpers and the other team answering back with a jumper of their own. Edwards and Taylor started the scoring for the Pios with back-to-back three-pointers, but the Lutes went on to take an 11-8 advantage six minutes into the game. Edwards would tie the game and then follow it up with another shot from range with 12:19 remaining in the half to put the Pios up 14-11. Lewis & Clark would not trail the Lutes the rest of the way, keeping their opponents at a safe distance. The Pioneers would head into the half with a 40-33 lead.

Lewis & Clark owned most of the second half, going on a 15-4 run over a four minute span, to take a 71-51 with 7:04 on the clock. The Lutes would answer back with a 15 point run of their own to cut the Pio advantage to 71-66 with 1:18 to play. Pacific Lutheran would go cold over the final minute of play, while the Pioneers would hit 6-8 from the free-throw line to earn the 77-66 win.

The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. when they take on the Pacific (Ore.) Boxers.