EUGENE, Ore. – Quentin Sims hit a three-pointer as time expired, sending Lewis & Clark to a 60-57 non-conference victory over Northwest Christian University on Friday night at the Morse Event Center. NCU had led for the first 38 minutes of the game but watched a 15-point half-time lead evaporate late for the Pioneers victory.
The Beacons led from the first points of the game and cruised to a 34-25 advantage at halftime. NCU continued to put on the pressure in the second half and were ahead 46-31 with 14:33 to play after a three-pointer by Travis Pacos (pictured). That is when the tide began to turn as the Pios rattled off six straight points to bring the gap back to single-digits.
NCU still held an eleven point lead, 50-39 with 10:38 to play, but L&C went on a 16-4 run, taking their first lead of the night with 2:25 to play as Ross Erickson hit a pair of free-throws.
Pacos again hit a clutch three-pointer and NCU went back ahead 57-55 with under two to go. After each team posted fruitless possessions, Erickson again went to the line and hit both of his freebies to tie the game. The Beacons came up empty on their next possession, giving the Pioneers the final opportunity.
With L&C moving the ball around in an attempt to find someone open in the post, NCU managed to clog the lane, tipping away a pass as time was running out. The game appeared to be headed to overtime, but Sims snagged the loose ball and fired up the trey as the buzzer sounded, giving the Pioneers the victory.
For the Beacons (7-6) Pacos led the way, finishing with a game-high 18 points and a team-leading seven rebounds. Trevor Parker added 14 points and two blocks and Jordan Buhler finished with eight points, seven rebounds, and four assists before fouling out with three minutes to play. NCU shot 37.5% from the field and out-rebounded Lewis & Clark, 39-35. The Beacons also shot 92.3% from the free-throw line in the game.
Lewis & Clark (5-3) was led by Erickson, finishing with 13 points and five rebounds. The senior Guard was active, adding game-highs with four steals and three blocks. Sims closed the night with ten points. He was just 1-for-7 from three-point range before draining the game-winner. Jason Luhnow hit four three-pointers to score 12 points off the bench as the L&C reserves outscored the Beacon bench, 28-7.
NCU will look to rebound on the road on Saturday night, traveling to face Linfield College (1-6) at 8:00 pm.