TACOMA, Washington – The Puget Sound men's basketball team has little time to soak in its historic victory at Linfield as the Loggers prepare to host Pacific Lutheran Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 8 p.m.
 
Comeback for the ages
At Linfield Saturday (Jan. 14), the Loggers were trailing by 21 points in the first half. However, Puget Sound closed out the first half with a 17-2 run to cut their deficit to 39-33 by halftime. The Logger claimed their first lead of the game, 43-42, with 15:43 on the clock in the second half. Although Linfield briefly claimed a 63-62 lead, Taj Phillips hit a clutch 3-pointer and Puget Sound held on for a 76-71 win. It was Puget Sound's sixth victory in its last seven games.
 
Moving the ball
Four Loggers are averaging double-digits in scoring this season: Liam Ruttledge (14.7), Mussie Teclemariam (12.5), Taj Phillips (10.9), Grant Erickson (10.1). Will Pohland isn't far behind with a 9.1 scoring average.
 
He's on fire
Taj Phillips is shooting 51.2-percent from 3-point range this season, and he has caught fire since the start of the calendar year. In five 2023 games, Phillips is shooting 66.7-percent (10-for-15) from beyond the arc.
 
Give him a 10(-plus)
Mussie Teclemariam has reached double digits in scoring in seven consecutive games. He is averaging 15.1 points per game during that stretch.
 
Crashing the boards
Grant Erickson and Mussie Teclemariam are both averaging 6.3 rebounds per game this season, which is tied for sixth in the Northwest Conference. Erickscon has two double-doubles, while Teclemariam has three. Taj Phillips is averaging 5.1 rebounds, and he has three double-doubles this season.
 
Recent history
Puget Sound has lost eight consecutive games against the Lutes. The Loggers' last win against PLU was Jan. 22, 2019, in Parkland (83-61).
 
Scouting Pacific Lutheran (7-8, 1-5 NWC)
The Lutes have lost three of their last four games. Their most recent loss was a buzzer-beater against Lewis & Clark (Jan. 14), as the Pioneers won by crashing the glass and putting back an offensive rebound. Among NWC teams, PLU ranks last in scoring (71.7), 3-point shooting (33.2-percent), and free-throw shooting (65.1-percent). Four Lutes average double figures in scoring, led by Brandin Riedel's 12.9 points per game. Jordan Thomas leads the team in rebounding (8.0) and assists (3.6).