PORTLAND, Ore. - The Lewis & Clark men's basketball team kept its composure late in its Northwest Conference contest against Pacific Lutheran on Saturday night, pulling out a 63-56 win over the visiting Lutes. 

The win moves the Pioneers to 7-6 on the season and 2-2 in NWC play. The Lutes slip to 3-9 overall and 1-2 in the NWC. 

Junior Serg Ovchinnikov led the Pioneers with 18 point, which all came from three-point range. Jason Luhnow ended the night with 13 points, while dishing out a game-high six assists and collecting five rebounds and a steal. Cory Coombe also finished the night in double-figures, netting 10 points after draining two threes and all four of his free-throw attempts. Carl Appleton led all players with eight rebounds, while chipping in eight points in the Pioneer victory. 

Brandon Lester led all players with 20 points for the Lutes, while teammate Dylan Foreman scored 16 in the loss. 

The Pioneers, who would never trail in the contest, cruised to an early 18-5 lead with 13:16 on the clock. Cold shooting by the Pioneers down the stretch would allow the Lutes to pull within five points, 33-28, as both teams headed into the locker room. 

Pacific Lutheran found a way to get within a point of the Pioneers, 43-42, with 14:07 left in the game on a Foreman three pointer. The Pioneers would quickly regain a comfortable lead moments later on back-to-back three's by Ovchinnikov and Coombe. The Lutes tried to foul their way back into the game in the final four minutes but would not be able to make any significant headway. 

The Pioneers return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. when they host the Willamette Bearcats.