PORTLAND, Ore. -- Having not won a game since they last played Redlands a month ago, the Lewis & Clark Pioneers surged late in the first half to lead by 15 points at the break in an 80-60 defeat of the visiting Bulldogs on Tuesday afternoon at Pamplin Sports Center.

The Pios made seven of their 12 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes, including three from Jason Luhnow and two from Markel Leonard, as Lewis & Clark led 45-30 at halftime. Junior guard Cannen Roberson scored a game-high 24 points, with Leonard and Luhnow combining for 25 points in the game.

After its 66-62 win against Redlands at the Mission Inn Kickoff Classic on Nov. 21, Lewis & Clark had lost five straight games, with four losses against teams all receiving votes in the latest D3Hoops.com top 25 national poll. The Pios have played the top two teams in the country within that last 18 days.

"Even though we were on the [losing] streak, it wasn't something we were talking about," said Luhnow, who had 11 points. "We were focused on us and getting better every day, and we knew coach put together a really tough preseason schedule, so even though we were losing some really close ones, those were all games that we thought we could win and that we had a chance to win.

"As we move forward with our season and our league, we'll be ready and able to go get those games."

Trailing 22-20 with 6:19 remaining in the first half, Lewis & Clark pushed the ball up the floor with Cory Coombe throwing a half court pass to Roberson for a lay-in alley oop, starting a 12-3 run for the Pioneers.

Redlands was held to just four points in the final three minutes of the half, while Lewis & Clark scored 13 more. Kupa'a Harrison, Leonard and Lunow combined for four 3-pointers in the final three minutes.

Lewis & Clark had its highest assists total, 17, since the second game of the season when the Pioneers had 24 against Valley Forge. Cory Coombe, Luhnow and Leonard each had four, with Coombe scoring five points.

Out of halftime, Blake O'Brien scored three straight 3-pointers in just over three minutes, bringing Redlands back within 50-39. Roberson answered with four quick points himself, including one bucket off an O'Brien turnover, and Lewis & Clark moved back up by 15 points with just under 16 minutes remaining.

The Bulldogs got back within single digits just once the rest of the game.

"We're trying to be aggressive and go get teams. We want to attack them, whether it's on the offensive or defensive end," said Luhnow. "The games we lose, we struggle to move the ball. Maybe we're not talking enough defensively. Today, we moved it, and guys were locked in defensively."

Redlands' field goal percentage dropped from 48 percent in the first half to 31 percent in the second half. The Pios limited the Bulldogs to five offensive rebounds.

Overall, the Pioneers held a 40-33 rebounding advantage, pulling down 15 offensive boards. Making his first start of the season, Carl Appleton had three offensive rebounds, and eight overall, to lead Lewis & Clark.

"CJ's big. That's a big load down low to deal with and he brings an energy to us that sometimes we lack," said Luhnow. "Every game that we have him back, we're getting a little bit better as he plays himself into basketball shape and rhythm."

Jonathan Boddie pulled down eight rebounds as well to go along with eight points off the bench. Junior Kristian Grobecker, who like Appleton played football during the fall, made his first appearance in a game this season, playing three minutes.

Along with Harrison's 3-pointer, Lewis & Clark freshmen Kyle Owens, Trevor Jeg, Adrian Romero and Skout Roberson (pictured right) played a combined 25 minutes. Skout Roberson scored four points, including two free throws, in two minutes at the end of the game.

"This freshmen class has been really good for us. They come in ready to go everyday prepared. All of them contribute to this team," said Luhnow.

O'Brien led Redlands with 14 points on 5 of 11 shooting, followed by 10 points apiece from Al Bjekovic and Sean Milligan.

Lewis & Clark won't play again until Jan. 2 when the Pios visit Portland Bible. Northwest Conference play resumes with George Fox visiting Portland on Jan. 8.

Other Northwest Conference Scores - Tuesday

Puget Sound 81, UC-Santa Cruz 70