EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University men’s basketball team couldn’t hold on to a five-point halftime lead, falling to Northwest University on Saturday night, 55-49. The Eagles shot just 30% in the first half against a stifling NCU defense, but came back guns blazing in the second, shooting 61% to avoid the upset.
Northwest finished the game shooting 44% and out-rebounding the Beacons, 40-31. NCU shot 37% and had just eight turnovers in the game, but the Beacons were just 1-for-8 from the free-throw line in the game, which proved detrimental late in the game. It was a top-heavy game for both squads as a layup by NCU’s Greg Shepard was the only points off the bench for either team on the night.
The Beacons (8-15, 2-9) were led by Wyatt Taboh-Graziano with 15 points, all in the first half, on 5-for-7 shooting. The senior hit 4-for-6 from three point range. Jordan Buhler added 14 points while leading NCU with eight rebounds and five assists.
NU (19-4, 9-2) had four players in double figures, led by a Michael Greene (pictured) double-double with 17 points and ten rebounds. The junior was 8-for-11 from the field. Ryan Dornik hit four three-pointers to finish with 15 points and Michael Russo added eleven. Nemanja Grujicic compiled a double-double of his own with ten points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Beacons will be back in action on Friday night, traveling to Salem to take on Corban University at 7:30 pm. The Warriors defeated NCU earlier this season, 73-70.