Despite having four players in double figures, the University of Redlands men's basketball team faltered to Pacific Lutheran University (WA) in Wednesday's outing at the Trinity National Invitational in San Antonio, TX. The Bulldogs shot 38.9% from the field but it was not enough compared to the hot three-point effort of the Lutes, who knocked down 44.8% of all shots and more than 50% of those beyond the arc.

PLU's Andrew Earnest sank the first three-pointer of the game less than a minute into the action, previewing his impressive 28-point display that included an 8-for-9 performance from long range.

The first half saw a back-and-forth battle that led to a knotted score at 32 apiece.

Redlands gained the early advantage during the second stanza, with senior center Jack Colston (Dana Point, CA) and junior guard Brian Kuklok (Poway, CA) draining consecutive threes.

However, the Lutes answered with an 11-2 run to make it 48-44 with 10:12 left in the game. From here, Pacific Lutheran controlled the lead with its hot shooting through the final play.

Three Bulldog starters recorded double figures with Kuklok leading the team with 13 points. Junior guard Tristan Kirk (Redlands, CA) chipped in 12 points to go along with six assists. Colston added 10 points, while sophomore guard Matt Calhoun (Clackamas, OR) impressed off the bench with 11 points.

Beyond Earnest, three Lutes scored 10 or more points, highlighted by Kai Hoyt's 17.

Redlands (3-5) strives to rebound in Thursday's match against the University of Puget Sound (WA) at 5 p.m. in Texas.