McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Back on January 10, Linfield visited Pacific Lutheran's Olson Gymnasium and took the Lutes down to the wire, coming away with an overtime win. Fast forward to Saturday afternoon and the Lutes made their return trip to Ted Wilson Gymnasium, getting the better of Linfield this time around with a 77-73 nail-biting victory.
The Wildcats got a three-pointer to drop early in the game but struggled to get into a rhythm offensively as Pacific Lutheran shot ahead 14-3. Having gained its composure, Linfield battled back and even took a four-point lead late in the half before the Lutes put together a run of their own for a 33-31 halftime advantage.
Both teams came out of the locker swinging as the second half featured six lead changes and two ties. The Wildcats led by as many as six points before the Lutes bounced back and a three-pointer by Emmett Holt gave them their own six-point lead. A
Cayden Lowenbach putback had Linfield down by one with just 43 seconds remaining and Pacific Lutheran looked to put the 'Cats away during the following possession. Holt missed a jumper, and the rebound bounced around until Pacific Lutheran's Brandin Riedel pulled it down and Linfield was forced to foul. A battle at the free-throw line ensued and with three seconds left, Linfield's Dayton Magaña found himself at the line with the Wildcats at a three-point disadvantage. Magaña nailed the first and missed the second by design, hoping for a rebound and a putback. Pacific Lutheran came away with the ball and Linfield had to foul yet again. Riedel put both free throws down and Pacific Lutheran came away with the win.
Lowenbach's career night led Linfield as he put up career bests in points (17), rebounds (12) and free throws made (9).
Cade Collins put up a team-high 19 points to go along with four rebounds and three assists while
Jack Greenwood came off the bench and poured in 13 points on two makes from behind the arc.
Josh Ryan and Magaña contributed eight points and five rebounds each.
For the Lutes, Miles Nash put up a season-high 29 points and looked unstoppable at points in the game, going 10-of-14 from the field and 8-10 from the charity stripe. Nash also added four rebounds and four assists. Holt was the only other Lute in double figures with 18 points.
NEXT
Linfield enters the home stretch of the 2024-25 season as it takes its final road trip this weekend with a Friday night matchup against Willamette in Salem at 6 p.m.