Knights Ease Past NCU, 69-59
PORTLAND, Ore. – Warner Pacific notched their 20th win of the season with a 69-59 decision over Northwest Christian at Bart Valentine Court tonight.
The victory kept the Knights’ slim CCC title hopes alive and moved the team to 20-6 overall and 12-3 in league tilts. NCU falls to 10-17 and 3-12.
WPC started the game with three unanswered baskets, only to see the visiting Beacons respond with a 7-0 run to take a 7-6 lead. That lead would be the only advantage that NCU would enjoy, as the hosts scored nine straight and would not trail again.
Though Warner Pacific led the rest of the way, the Knights never completely shook the Beacons and the margin was single digits for most of the contest. The Knights did manage to stretch the lead to 13 (45-32) on a Dane Johnson triple with 13:52 to play in the second period, but NCU battled back within six just a few minutes later.
A Brian Hampton three pointer at the 7:26 mark drew the Beacons with five (53-48), but a 7-0 burst from WP put some distance between the teams and the Knights eased to the win.
Biniam Tadele paced Warner Pacific with 18 points on 8 of 14 shooting. Johnson finished with 14 points and eight assists. William Sharp was also in double figures with 11 points, and also added three steals.
NCU was led by the 11 points and 11 rebounds of Brody McGowan. Mitchell Wilson had a team high 17 points including a perfect 5 of 5 from the free throw line.
Warner Pacific will host Corban tomorrow night, while NCU heads to Concordia.