REDDING, Calif. – The Northwest Christian University men’s basketball team gave first-year Head Coach Luke Jackson a great birthday present on Wednesday night as they won their season opener against Simpson University, 89-74.
The Beacons (1-0) shot just under 50% from the field for the game and held the Red Hawks to 29% shooting in the second half as they pulled away for the win.
A three-pointer by Dalton Thacker gave Simpson an early 3-2 advantage but it was the only lead of the night for the home team. Harley Turner scored five straight points and NCU was off and running, leading by as many as 14 before settling in with a 52-45 lead at the intermission.
Simpson kept things close in the second half and trailed 62-58 with 11:33 to play when NCU rattled off a 16-0 over a six-minute stretch to take a 78-58 lead. Travis Pacos scored seven points during the run.
NCU was led in their opener by Spencer Coleman, posting a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds along with four of the teams 15 steals. Coleton Baker scored 21 points and Austin Kuemper scored 16 points and seven rebounds. Turner also finished in double figures with 13 points, shooting 3-for-5 from three point range and Pacos ended the night with nine points.
Coach Jackson said, “Spencer gave a supreme effort tonight and we continued to improve defensively against a very good shooting team in Simpson.”
Simpson (0-2) also had four players in double-figures, led by Jonnie Washburn with 16. Thacker scored 12 while Shaquille Jones put in 11. Aman Schenk came off the bench to score ten points while reserve Marc Kirkland scored seven points and led the team with seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals. The Red Hawks were out-rebounded 46-28 in the game.
The Beacons will be back in action on Friday, opening play in the Bill Holtz Warrior Classic in Rocklin against #22 Cal Maritime at 3:00 pm. “I was proud of how our guys played tonight,” said Jackson, “and I am hoping this win can give us some momentum as we head into our next game against a national ranked opponent.”