Box Score
EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University men’s basketball team remained undefeated at home, leading buzzer-to-buzzer on Tuesday night as they defeated Simpson University, 69-61. NCU held the Red Hawks to 37.9% shooting and forced 21 turnovers on their way to their third straight victory.
The Beacons led 35-26 at halftime and led by as many as 16 points in the second half as they survived a late charge to complete the victory.
NCU (6-3) was led by Jordan Buhler, scoring 17 points with eight rebounds and five assists. Greg Shepard (pictured) scored 16 points and eight rebounds while Trevor Parker came off the bench to hit two big first-half three-pointers before finishing with ten points in just 12 minutes of work. Parker had missed the previous three games with a foot injury. The Beacons out-rebounded Simpson 42-36 and collected 12 steals including three apiece from Shepard, Jordan Myers and Travis Pacos.
Simpson (2-8) had a dominant performance in the loss from Guy Varsek, scoring 25 points and 15 rebounds. The junior hit three from behind the arc, shooting 9-for-21 overall. Ian Corella was the only other player in double-figures for SU, scoring ten points.
The Beacons will return to action on Friday as they begin Cascade Collegiate Conference action playing host to Southern Oregon University at 7:30 pm. The Raiders are currently ranked No. 16 in the NAIA coaches poll.