Knights Earn Hard Fought Victory Over NCU
PORTLAND, Ore. – Warner Pacific made just enough plays down the stretch to knock off #24 Northwest Christian, 59-55, tonight at
Bart Valentine Court.
The Basics
• Score: Warner Pacific 59, Northwest Christian 55
• Records: WPC (15-4, 5-2 CCC), NCU (11-5, 4-3 CCC)
• Location: C.C. Perry Gym, Portland, Ore.
• The Short Story: In a clash of top Cascade Conference teams, Warner Pacific managed to emerge victorious over Northwest Christian after a slugfest, 59-55. Both teams dug in defensively and very few opportunities were to be had in transition. With the game tied at 55-55 with 1:08 to play, a
Coletun Tarr jumper and two free throws from
Earl Jones provided the winning margin for WP, while the Beacons came up empty on their two possessions. NCU controlled the paint for much of the game, so the Knights were forced to score from long range - 12 of their 20 field goals were from behind the arc.
How it Happened
• The game was very close for all 40 minutes - the largest lead by either team was seven points.
• NCU had the slight advantage in the first half, and went to the locker room with a 30-25 lead.
• Austin Kuemper bossed the lane for the Beacons, scoring 14 points in the first 20 minutes.
• NCU appeared to be taking control in the early minutes of the second period with their size and physicality, taking a 35-28 lead with 16:53 to play.
• WP freshman
Keaton Bankofier came to the rescue, hitting back-to-back three pointers to give the Knights a boost.
• A few moments later,
Ryan Parks chipped in with a pair of his own makes from distance, and after
Michael Hall scored a rare layup for WP the Knights were ahead 42-41.
• The Knights managed to grind out to a to a 55-50 lead with 3:02 to play, but Javonte Byrd scored five straight points for Northwest Christian to tie the game for the last time.
• That's when Tarr and Jones made the clutch plays to give Warner Pacific the key Cascade Conference win.