UPS, PLU men notch road wins; both are a game away from clinching conference playoff spots

The Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran men are doing their best to not let the Northwest Conference basketball chase go down to the final weekend.

UPS got coach Justin Lunt his 150th career win with a 71-68 victory at Linfield, while the Lutes won at Pacific, 54-51, on Friday night.

If the Loggers (13-9, 8-5 in NWC) and PLU (15-7, 8-5) can win road games Saturday, both local schools will clinch conference tournament playoff spots.

The Boxers erased a nine-point deficit in the second half to grab a 51-48 lead on KC Harrison’s 3-pointer with 4:41 to go. It would be Pacific’s final points in Forest Grove, Oregon.

PLU regained the lead for good, 54-51, on Dylan Foreman’s jump shot with four seconds remaining. He was fouled and completed the three-point play.

Linfield tied the Loggers, 66-66, on two Mason Rodby free throws with 3:12 remaining in McMinnville, Oregon.

But Carlos Mancasola answered 47 seconds later with a 3-pointer to give UPS the lead for good. He finished with a game-high 22 points.

UPS plays at Pacific on Saturday while the Lutes travel to Lewis & Clark.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

UPS 84, at Linfield 67: The Loggers (15-7, 10-3) maintained their hold on second place in the conference by winning their sixth consecutive road game.

Emily Sheldon paced the attack with 23 points. Elizabeth Prewitt added 18.

PLU 69, at Pacific 65: Ionna Price’s 3-pointer broke a 63-63 tie with 1:42 to go, and the Lutes captured their first conference road victory of the season in Forest Grove.

The Lutes (8-14, 4-9) trailed 53-44 early in the fourth quarter before rallying.

This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 11:25 PM with the headline "UPS, PLU men notch road wins; both are a game away from clinching conference playoff spots."