Southwestern controlled most of the game before Texas Lutheran closed the game on a 19-7 run to steal the SCAC opener win.
With a solid team effort the Pirates took a nine point lead, 42-33 into the locker room at halftime. Southwestern shot an astonishing 61.5% from the floor and 50% from three point range and was led by Blake Scott with eight points. All but two Pirates that played in the half scored and SU was able to hold TLU to 41.9% from the floor and 25.7% from three point range in the half.
Southwestern held on a slight advantage through the first eight minutes of the second half, but Texas Lutheran began to creep back in the game. With just under 12 minutes to play, TLU cut into the Pirate lead and pulled within four, 51-47.
With 3:36 remaining in the game, Southwestern held tight to a four point lead, 69-65. But, with possession and momentum on their side, Texas Lutheran's Donte McGee hit the put back jumper, was fouled, and nailed the subsequent free throw to bring the Bulldogs within one, 69-68.
A costly turnover on the other end gave TLU the opening they needed and they took advantage as Jordan Kouremetis drained a three to hand the lead over to the Bulldogs for the first time in the half.
Two free throws from Chris Lee tied the game with 1:40 to play, but TLU quickly took the lead back as Sterling Holmes hit a jumper just inches inside the arc to put TLU up 73-71.
Southwestern did their best to get the lead back, but the Bulldogs did their job on the free throw line going 9-9 in the final 35 seconds.
The Pirates shot 53.1% from the floor and 44.4% form three point range and held TLU to 42.6% from the floor and 34.8% from long range, but had 14 turnovers in the lost and were outrebounded 35-28.
Chris Molina led SU with 11 points while Scott, Lee and Kurtz all added in 11. Holmes led TLU with 20 points.
Southwestern falls to 5-5 on the year and starts off SCAC action at 0-1 while TLU improves to 6-6 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
SU remains at home to face Colorado College on Friday at 8 p.m.
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