TACOMA, Wash. -- The Loggers get several key defensive stops down the stretch winning an overtime thriller 74-70 over Pacific Lutheran. 

How it Happened
The game started back and forth, with the Loggers earning a bit of an advantage. Zane Miller hit back-to-back buckets, as Ian Cook added a pair of free throws to put the Loggers up 8-4 early. Hugo Rutherfurd went to work in the paint, hitting a pair of layups to maintain the Loggers' lead. Dante Deshautelle found his way to the bucket, making it 14-7 early. 

From there, the Loggers were able to get to the line, hitting a slew of free throws to extend their lead. Dezman Baker also hit a bucket, giving the Logers a nine-point advantage with just under 10 minutes to go in the half. The defense picked up, as Puget Sound didn't allow a single bucket for just over six minutes. Both teams went on a scoring run to end the first half, trading buckets back-and-forth the whole way. A final layup by Miller capped the Logger scoring, taking a 37-28 lead into halftime. 

A Miller three opened the scoring in the second half, but the Lutes seemed to have an answer for every Puget Sound dagger. Aaydan Saucedo hit a three to put the Loggers back up 12, forcing a PLU timeout. Pacific Lutheran's Henry Smith then hit three straight threes, making the game competitive in an instant. Miller kept finding ways to get to the rim, but the Lutes took their first lead since the opening bucket. 

Baker and Rutherfurd got in on the action as time started to wind down, giving the Loggers back their lead. A Miller three supplemented the action, and a Cook layup maintained the Loggers' three point lead. After a PLU bucket tied the game at 65 apiece, a pair of missed PLU free throws gave the Loggers a chance to win the game. Saucedo couldn't connect on a three-point shot, sending the game to overtime. 

Puget Sound's defense was the stoy in overtime, holding the Lutes to just a pair of free throws in the first three minutes of overtime. A Rutherfurd layup tied the game at 67, handing it over to Trevon Hamilton to secure the game. Hamilton forced a Lute turnover, driving in a layip to put teh Loggers back on top. He then stole the ball again, making it 71-67 Loggers. The free throw game started, as the Loggers were able to extend their lead to six on another two free throws by Hamilton made it 74-68. The Lutes tacked on a pair of shots from the stripe of their own, but the Loggers took this one, 74-70. 

Top Performers
Miller was the star of the show, picking up 26 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Hamilton had a great night as well, picking up 12 points, eight rebounds, and six steals. 

Coach's Thoughts
"Gutsy win," said Logger head coach Aubrey Shelton. "Really proud of our guys for hanging tough and making plays defensively despite our shots not falling. Championship level efforts by Dez, Hugo, Zane, and Tre. Fun to see our defense come through when we needed it most. A little closer than we'd like, but we will take a sweep over PLU any year!"

What Happens Next
The Loggers take on the Willamette Bearcats at home on Friday, February 6th. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm following the women's game.