WALLA WALLA, Wash. - The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's basketball team fought hard but dropped a seven-point contest to California Lutheran University Saturday evening in Walla Walla. The loss dropped the Cru to 8-2 on the season while CLU improved to 5-2. 

California Lutheran took an early 5-0 lead before the Cru fought back with back-to-back layups from Zachary Engels and Josh Goings. CLU stayed on top until the 16:26 mark when Eli Beard hit a three-pointer to even the frame at nine.  

CLU answered with a three-pointer that sparked an 11-1 run, giving them a double-digit lead. The frame toggled between two and three possessions for the duration of the half. UMHB held the Lutes scoreless for the final 3:19 of action in the frame, pulling with seven for a 38-31 lead after the first 20 minutes of play. 

UMHB cut the gap to five to open the second half. CLU responded with five unanswered and held the two-possession lead for most of the half. The Cru used a 5-0 run to cut the gap to two but the Lutes responded with a layup at 2:19 to go back up by four. Eli Beard answered with a pair of foul shots but Devon Lewis hit another CLU three for a 73-68 margin. Beard answered again, hitting a three-pointer with 00:58 to play but the Lutes answered with a layup at 00:47. Josh Goings cut the gap back to two with 38 seconds to go but California Lutheran answered with a three-pointer from Jake Martin (00:17), followed by a pair of Tommy Griffith foul shots to secure the 80-73 win. 

Beard led the Cru with 22 points while Josh Goings added 19. Co Rose and Zachary Engels also added double-digit scoring performances with 11 points and 10 points, respectively. Beard and Ryan Pondant both brought down seven rebounds while Beard also had a team-high four assists. 

UMHB totaled 30 points in the paint with 12 bench points and nine points off turnovers. The Cru returns to action December 21st - 22nd in the Done Lane Classic at Transylvania University in Lexington.