SALEM, Ore. - Shooting 55 percent overall from the field, including 6-for-9 from three-point range, Pacific Lutheran built a big lead early and cruised past Willamette, 72-55, in a Northwest Conference men's basketball game played Friday night in Cone Field House.

Cameron Schilling scored 23 points on 11-for-15 shooting and Drew Earnest added 20 points on 8-for-10 accuracy, including 4-for-5 from beyond the arc, to lead Pacific Lutheran to the victory. The Lutes are now 7-15 overall and 5-8 in the conference, while Willamette falls to 7-15 ovrall and 4-9 in the NWC.

The Lutes took their first double-digit lead of the game at 14-3 on Earnest's layup just 4 1/2 minutes in, and they shot 70 percent through the first 11 minutes in opening up an 18-point lead at 29-11.

Willamette was able to whittle its deficit to 42-29 by the half, and when Oliver Hughes opened the second half with a three-point basket, it was within 10 points at 42-32. PLU promptly responded by scoring 10 unanswered points with Terrell Williams both starting and ending the run with field goals. Williams finished the game with 10 points and five steals.

The Lutes added on to that lead and took their largest advantage of the game at 63-38 on Earnest's layup with about 10 minutes to play.

In addition to his 23 points, Schilling led all player with 10 rebounds and he also added three assists and three steals. Earnest contributed three assists and three steals as well.

The Lutes were 32-for-58 from the field overall and also came up with 13 steals while forcing Willamette to commit 21 turnovers. The Bearcats shot just 36 percent on 19-for-53 accuracy fro the field.

Alex Brown and Brandon Luedtke both scored 10 points to lead Willamette in scoring.

PLU is back in action at 8 p.m. tomorrow when it plays the Pacific Boxers in Forest Grove Ore.

- PLU -