SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – The University of Redlands men's basketball team (2-0) trailed by double figures for a second-straight game to begins the season, but once again the bounced back as they defeated Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) 94-91.

The Bulldogs deficit was as large as 13, 20-7, at the 12:28 mark of the first half. Derek Sangster, Omari Ferguson, and Jake Hlywiak 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, 27-26. Chozen Amadi came right back 26 seconds later and made a three that sparked a quick 6-0 run with Amadi assisting Cam Brown on three.

Thanks to a Lucas Gordon dunk and a Donovan Ware 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 had three.

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

Their deficit got as high as six and they trailed as late as the 3:12 mark, but the defense held PLU to 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-fo-15 shooting with a 3-for-6 mark from three 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 six and four steals, respectively.

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