PARKLAND - Visiting Northwest University limited Pacific Lutheran to 29 percent shooting for the game in running away from the Lutes, 72-38, in a non-conference men's basketball game played Tuesday night in Olson Auditorium.

The Eagles, who beat the Lutes by a point on a last second shot a year ago on the way to a NAIA national tournament berth, handled the Lutes at both ends of the floor. In addition to limiting PLU to 14-for-48 shooting, Northwest also had a significant 36-22 rebounding margin and also converted 56 percent (28-for-50) of its own shots.

The game was tied only once, that at 2-2, but within a couple of minutes the Eagles were starting to pull away from the hosts. They took their first double-digit lead of the night with 9:18 left in the first half on Nemanja Grujicic's layup. By the half, Northwest held a 32-18 advantage.

Pacific Lutheran was able to cut its deficit to 10 points on two occasions in the early minutes of the final half, but the Eagles grabbed hold of the game with their tough defense, drives to the basket and a flurry of three-point shots.

Michael Russo scored 20 points to lead the winners, followed by Ryan Dornik with 17 points, including 5-for-9 from beyond the arc, and 16 points from Michael Greene. Jeremy Paull tied Greene for team-high rebounding honors with six, and Greene also led his team with four assists.

For Pacific Lutheran, Johnny Tveter came off of the bench to score 12 points and grab four rebounds. He was the only PLU player in double figures.

Pacific Lutheran is back in action at 7:30 p.m. next Monday when it hosts St. Scholastica from Minnesota in another non-conference contest.

- PLU -