EUGENE, Ore. – Northwest Christian University men’s basketball played a smart and consistent offensive game on Friday night to defeat NCAA Division II Saint Martin’s, 79-72. NCU got 38 points in the paint and made 36 trips to the free-throw line as the starting guards combined to score nearly half of the team points in the win.
The Beacons were playing their third straight game without their head coach, Corey Anderson, who has been in Florida tending to a family medical emergency. Assistant Coach Chad Depaoli said, “We were able to get to the rim and get to the free throw line tonight. When we are able to find those open lanes, guys like Mitch Wilson, Brian Hampton and Jordan Buhler are able to dictate the pace of play instead of us just taking what our opponent gives us.”
Saint Martin’s jumped out to a 5-2 lead on an early three-pointer from Ryan Votaw, but the Beacons responded quickly with seven straight points, establishing a 9-5 lead with 16 minutes to play in the period. NCU soon used a 11-0 run, capped off by a Wilson layup, and took a 24-11 lead with 5:51 to play. A three-pointer from Hampton in the final minute helped the Beacons take a 40-26 advantage into half-time.
The Beacons led by as many as 16 points in the second half, but Saint Martin’s refused to go quietly, climbing to within five points, 60-55 with 6:12 to play. But NCU’s lane penetration continued and over the next minute they scored five free-throws, all after fouls in the paint, and the Beacons were again leading by ten points, 65-55.
NCU (4-4) was led by Hampton, who scored 19 points, hitting 8-for-11 from the free-throw line. Wilson shot 6-for-9 from the field and scored 15 points while Greg Shepard and Trevor Parker had ten points each. Buhler finished with 9 points and seven assists while leading the team with three assists. Jordan Miller provided a pair of clutch three-pointers and a pair of steals that helped to keep the Saints at bay as they tried to come back in the second half.
Head Coach Corey Anderson said, “It was a solid win for us tonight. I am very pleased with how we bounced back Tuesday’s loss. We have had some great leadership from coach DePaoli and Coach Nicksic and I am proud of the team’s effort tonight.”
Saint Martin’s (2-5) was led by Jeremy Green, scoring 19 points and eleven rebounds. Brok Pendleton added 18 points, six rebounds and a game-high five assists. Eric Taylor came off the bench to score eleven points. The Saints were just 3-for-18 from three-point range in the game.
The Beacons are back in action on Saturday, traveling to Newberg to take on George Fox University (1-2) at 7:00 pm. Anderson is expected to return to the West Coast later this week, in time to make the Beacons first conference road trip of the season on December 2nd.