Setting the Scene: The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team continues its opening homestand of the season tonight, welcoming University of Dallas to Olson Gymnasium.
Series History: This is just the second all-time meeting between the Lutes and Crusaders. The two Division III schools last met during the 2016-2017 campaign with host PLU coming away with a 76-66 victory inside Olson Gymnasium.
About the Lutes: Pacific Lutheran (1-2) overcame a sluggish start to blow past Pomona-Pitzer Colleges 72-58 last Friday night in the home opener inside Olson Gymnasium. PLU closed the first half on a 23-6 run, turning a two-point deficit into a 15-point cushion. The Lutes held at least a seven-point buffer the entire second half en route to the win. Charlie Kapranos headlined the day, scoring a career-high 29 points while hauling in 11 rebounds for his first career double-double. The sophomore was recognized by the conference office on Monday, earning NWC Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
The home victory came after opening the season on the road in California where the Lutes dropped a pair of games to tough opponents. PLU opened the regular season against sixth-ranked University of Redlands, owning a double digit lead early before eventually succumbing 94-91 before getting outscored over the final 20 minutes in an 87-75 setback to host University of California Santa Cruz.
Four Lutes head into the weekend averaging in double figures with Dom Perasso and Ben Tellez leading the way, both averaging 15.0 points per game. Perasso has been the hot hand, shooting 61.3 percent from the floor while Tellez had been a deep threat, hitting a team-best seven threes this winter while also averaging 5.0 rebounds per game.
Charlie Kapranos adds 14.0 ppg and a team-high 7.7 rpg while Henry Smith adding 11.3 ppg.
Lutes in the Limelight: The Lutes have won the first two NWC Player of the Week awards of the season. Dom Perasso was recognized for his output during the California trip on Nov. 11 while Charlie Kapranos secured the award on Monday for his exploits in the win over Pomona-Pitzer.
About the Crusaders: U of Dallas (1-1) is hitting the road for the first time this season after splitting a pair of home games to open the 2025-2026 campaign. Thomas Fleming led the Crusaders with 16 points, dropping four treys on the night but visiting Hardin-Simmons University pulled away in the second half, outscoring the hosts 36-20 over the final 20 minutes in a 71-53 victory.
Two days later, the Crusaders needed overtime but did just enough to claim the 60-56 win over Lyon College. Dallas was held to just 15 points in the opening half, shooting just 24 percent from the floor and misfiring on all six of its three-point attempts but had a big second half to force the extra five minute session. Fleming again led the charge on a night three U of Dallas players were in double figures, scoring 16 points.
Thomas Fleming leads the Dallas scoring attack, averaging 16.0 points per game while Terrence Bryant chips in 10.5 ppg and 5.5 rebounds per game. Chandler Holmes comes in just under 10 a game, averaging 9.5 ppg while Kris Burgan is the squad's leader on the glass, hauling in 7.5 rebounds per game.
NWC Coaches' Poll
This October, the Lutes were picked to finish tied for third in the league standings with crosstown nemesis University of Puget Sound, both collecting 44 points. NWC heavyweight Whitworth sat atop the poll with 64 points.
Trailblazing NIL the D3 Way: PLU Athletics continues to lead the way nationally in Name, Image, and Likeness, unveiling the Luteville Marketplace last fall through the department's partnership with Opendorse. But don't stay on the sidelines, get involved and connect with PLU student-athletes on the Luteville Marketplace: LINK
The Luteville Marketplace is the first dedicated NIL marketplace in Division III on the Opendorse platform that directly connects student-athletes with fans, supporters, and business partners in an easy to use website.
Stay connected to your favorite teams by downloading the official mobile app of the Pacific Lutheran University athletic department powered by SIDEARM Sports, available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.
Featuring real-time news alerts, schedules, exclusive multimedia content, gameday details and more, the new PLU Athletics app is free and compatible with both iOS and Android devices.
Next Game:
Nov. 22 vs. Nebraska Wesleyan at 7 p.m.
PLU Non-Discrimination Policy: Pacific Lutheran University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator Jennifer Childress-White; 253-535-7361; TitleIX@plu.edu