Concordia shot 32 percent from the field in the second half while NW Christian connected on 58 percent of its attempts in the final 20 minutes.
Beacons Power Past Cavs in Final Minutes for Road Victory
PORTLAND, Ore.— In a game of momentum, the visiting Beacons of Northwest Christian used a final barrage to defeat Concordia 77-59 in men’s basketball action on Saturday night.
With the win, NW Christian improved to 12-9 on the year and evened its mark to 6-6 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play. Concordia fell to 7-14 overall and 2-10 in CCC matches.
In a low-scoring first half, the Cavs generated a 24-12 lead out of gate with 6:52 remaining in the first half, but the home team managed just three points the rest of the way, letting NCU creep back into the contest with the Cavs taking a 27-24 lead at the break.
The offensive lapse would prove costly as the Beacons quickly took advantage by hitting fire from eth field in the second period. Converting 58 percent in the second half, NCU mounted an eight-point lead with just over 10 minutes remaining.
The Cavs would put together a final surge, climbing back to within a single point with a 21-9 run to put the score at 55-54 with 6:06 to play.
After both teams traded buckets, the Beacons would reel off 15 unanswered points over the next four minutes of action to put the Cavs away.
Jordan Whittenburg posted a team-high 22 points to lead NCU while teammate Dylan Perry came off the bench with 18 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Clutch from the line, Perry’s night included an 8-of-10 performance from the free throw line.
Steven Vaughan paced the Cavaliers with 24 points, half of which came from three-point territory. Richard Smith gave CU a boost with 11 points and eight rebounds.
NCU shot 44 percent for the game while Concordia finished at 36 percent. The Beacons also enjoyed a slight rebounding edge, 40-37 and committed two less turnovers, 11-9.
Concordia returns to action on Jan. 30 when it travels to Evergreen State for a 7:30 p.m. tilt. NW Christian will host Warner Pacific on that same Friday night.