Box Score
EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University men’s basketball team remained undefeated at home on Tuesday night with an 86-80 victory over Simpson University in the Morse Event Center. Five players scored in double figures for the Beacons, who shot over 50% as a team for the fifth time this season.
The Beacons led by as many as 14 points late in the second half and were ahead by 13, 77-74 with 3:52 to play. The Redhawks, refused to go quietly, however, mounting a furious comeback as they climbed within two points, 82-80 with 27 seconds to play. NCU was then able to ice the game at the free-throw line as Mitch Wilson and Brent McKee (pictured) combined to go 4-for-4 at the charity stripe in the waning moments.
McKee scored 16 points to lead the Beacons, adding six rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals in a well rounded effort. The senior also went 8-for-8 at the line in the game, upping his CCC-leading free-throw percentage to 89.3%. Kellen Spicer scored a team-high 18 for the Beacons, hitting a trio of three-pointers, along with seven boards. Quentin Guidry also tied for a game-high with seven rebounds, adding 14 points. Cameron Marshall scored eleven for the Beacons and Wilson came off the bench to add ten. Brody McGowan also had a strong evening off the pine, scoring eight points in 13 minutes of action as he shot a perfect 4-for-4 from the field. The Beacons out-rebounded Simpson 40-32.
Simpson (0-13) was led by Pat Magno, leading all players with 23 points, eight assists and three rebounds. The senior point guard had four three-pointers, as did Bryan Castillo who finished the night with 14 points. Calvin Smith came off the bench to score 17 points before fouling out and Phillip Templeton added ten. The Redhawks shot 47% in the game, including a 52.8% clip in the second half.
Northwest Christian (6-8) will be back in action on Thursday, December 30th at 5:30 pm against Cascade Conference foe Southern Oregon. The Beacons are just 15-19 all-time against the Raiders, but have won eight straight in the series.