SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – The University of Redlands Men's Basketball team (2-0) trailed by double figures for the second-straight game to begin the season, but once again bounced back as they beat Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) 94-91 to end the UCSC Invitational.

The Bulldogs' deficit was as large as 13, 20-7, at the 12:28 mark of the first half. Derek Sangster (Sunnyvale, CA), Omari Ferguson (Chicago, Ill.), and Jake Hlywiak (Valencia, CA) combined for seven points to cut the lead to six, 20-14.

PLU, however, regained their double-digit lead with a 7-2 run that put Redlands down by 11, 37-26. Chozen Amadi (Richardson, TX) came right back :26 seconds later knocking down a three-pointer that sparked a quick 6-0 run and then assisted Cam Brown (Bakersfield, CA) on a three.

Thanks to a Lucas Gordon (San Marcos, CA) dunk and a Donovan Ware (Palmdale, CA) layup across the final 1:17, the Bulldogs found themselves only down two, 43-41, after 20 minutes.

A 10-2 run in the first 1:56 opened Redlands' largest lead of the game at six, 51-45, as Ferguson had four points and both Gordon and Hlywiak another two triples.  

Despite the great start to the half, the Lutes scored nine of the next 11 points to take a 63-60 lead with 13:40 on the clock.

Redlands' deficit got as high as six and they trailed as late as the 3:12 mark, but the defensive unit held PLU to just four points over the last three minutes, while their offense found nine points to secure the win.

Gordon finished with a team-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting with a 3-for-6 mark from long-range and a 3-of-4 mark at the line. He also had seven rebounds and three blocks. Sangster had 18 points and seven rebounds. Ferguson and Brown were defensive menaces with a combined ten steals.  

Redlands has their home opener against Pacific University (Oregon) next Friday, November 14 at 7:00 p.m. inside Currier Gym.