REDLANDS, Calif. — For the second game in a row, Cal Lutheran men's basketball had the final chance, but the Redlands Bulldogs escaped with an 80-79 on Saturday night.

The Purple and Gold held the margin in nearly every category. The Kingsmen had a better field goal percentage (50.9 to 42.2), a better three-point percentage (33.3 to 31.8) and rebounds (45 to 25). 

The problem for the Kingsmen came in turnovers. The Bulldogs forced CLU into 26 turnovers, scoring 27 points off them. It is the second time in as many games, that the Kingsmen have lost to the Bulldogs by one point. 

Miles Houston and Dallas Johnson led the way for CLU, scoring 14 points each. Houston did it on 6-of-8 shooting, and added seven rebounds. Johnson recorded a double-double as he tallied 11 rebounds. 

Logan McCullough was the third Kingsmen with double-digit points and added 10. Devon Lewis and Tommy Griffits were right behind him and scored nine each. 

Cal Lutheran jumped out to a quick 8-2 lead and later pushed it to ten, 15-5, after a Houston layup. Redlands fought back and made it a one-point game, as Brooks Mallory answered with a three-pointer to make it a two-possession game. 

The game remained close for the rest of the half as Redlands had a 45-43 lead at the break. Altogher, the game had 13 ties and 11 lead changes. 

The second half was more of the same, with both teams exchanging blows. Shot after shot going in, with the score going back and forth. With 4:26 left and Relands up 76-70, Griffits, Justin Stanziano and Lewis each made a basket to tie the score at 76. 

The Kingsmen then took their lead, 79-76, after a Lewis layup. Redlands fought back with two baskets and then took the slight lead, 80-79, with seven seconds left. CLU had two shots before the sounded, as Redlands walked off with the 80-79 victory.

The Kingsmen return home for their final game of the year. Cal Lutheran host Redlands on April 3 at 2 p.m.

Box Score: UR 80, CLU 79
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director