Box Score
EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University men’s basketball team rallied from a seven-point half-time deficit behind 58% second-half shooting from three-point range, taking a three-point lead before falling to #12 Eastern Oregon University on Friday night, 67-63.
The Beacons were down 37-30 after the first 20 minutes, but had climbed to within three points, 45-42 with eleven minutes to play. Eastern went on to score seven unanswered points, capitalizing on back-to-back turnovers on NCU possessions, but with 9:24 to play, Kellen Spicer (pictured) helped to kill the Mountie momentum with a three-pointer. A pair of treys from Brent McKee on the next two possessions brought NCU to within five, but they were still trailing 58-51 with seven minutes to play.
Spicer then sparked a huge Beacon rally with another three, setting off a 10-0 streak that put Northwest Christian ahead 61-58 with 5:18 to play. Unfortunately the hot shooting cooled down and the Beacons managed just one field goal in the final five minutes as the Mounties responded and pulled away for their four-point victory.
The Beacons (7-13, 1-7 CCC) were led by Spicer, finishing with 15 points, including a 3-for-4 performance from three-point range. Cameron Marshall added 13 points, as did Brian Hampton, who added four assists and four steals. McKee ended the night with a double-double, bringing in a game-high 11 rebounds to go with ten points. In all, NCU hit eleven three-pointers, which ties a modern-era school record.
Eastern Oregon (14-3, 6-2) had four players in double figures with Anthony Brown and Jamar Johnson leading the way with 12 points apiece. Brown added ten rebounds, and five steals. Travares Peterson had a big night off the bench for the Mounties with eleven points and a game-high seven assists.
Northwest Christian will look to rebound on Saturday night, playing host to The College of Idaho at 5:30 pm.