EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University men’s basketball team lost their first home game of the season on Thursday night, falling to Southern Oregon, 71-63. The Beacons also fall to the Raiders for the first time in five seasons, a span of eight games.
The Beacons trailed by as many as 12 points with under five minutes to play, but another late comeback effort was on tap. Back-to-back three pointers from Brian Hampton and Kellen Spicer (pictured) soon made it a 65-59 Raider lead with 3:12 to play and a Spicer layup within the final minute brought NCU as close as four but that would be it in the tough loss.
NCU (6-9, 1-3 CCC) was led by Spicer in the loss, scoring 15 points along with a team-high six rebounds. Hampton had his best night since returning from knee surgery, scoring 14 points off the bench as he hit four three-pointers, including three in the second half. Three players just missed scoring in double-figures as Brent McKee, Cameron Marshall, and Quentin Guidry each scored nine.
Southern Oregon (9-5, 3-2), a team currently receiving votes in the NAIA national coaches poll, was led off the bench by Austin Wolfer scoring 21 points as he shot 7-for-8 on the floor and 7-of-9 at the charity stripe. The senior post also led the Raiders with a game-high nine rebounds. Kyle Tedder added nine points and five assists, hitting a trio of three-pointers in the game.
Northwest Christian will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, taking on #13 Oregon Tech at 3:30 pm. The Beacons upset the Owls at home last season in overtime.