EUGENE, Ore. – Senior Michael Loomis broke a 23-year old NCU scoring record on Saturday night, dropping 48 points on Multnomah University in a 93-75 victory for the Beacons. He also set a new single-game record with 12 three-pointers including eight in the second-half as NCU rebounded from a sluggish start.
NCU (11-11, 7-8 CCC) shot.404 from long-range and .438 in all on the night. Their 19 three-pointers were a season-high and second most in the CCC during the '17-18 campaign. Northwest Christian turned the ball over just nine times while forcing 12 from the visiting Lions.
The Beacons scored the first six points of the game and built their early lead up to nine points at 14-5 just six minutes in. Multnomah battled-back and used a seven-point run midway through the period to take their first lead of the game at 22-21. Loomis ended the run with a pull-up three, which was answered by one from MU to put the lead back in the Lions hands. The final minute of the period saw two tie-scores two lead changes, capped by Loomis hitting yet another three to put Northwest Christian up 37-36 heading into the intermission.
NCU ran-off a six-point streak to build their lead to double-digits at 53-43 in the fourteenth minute of the second half, followed by a stretch of eight in-a-row to put them up 16 with just over ten to play. The final five minutes saw four Loomis long-balls and two Austin Tyner dunks as the Beacons secured the 93-75 victory.
Loomis rang up his 48 on 16-for-31 shooting including a 12-for-24 performance from outside. The previous record of 44 points had been owned by NCU Hall of Famer Mat Sand since a March 10, 1990 game against Manhattan Christian College. He also establishes new NCU single-game records for field goals and three-pointers attempted.
His point total, which was the third-highest in the NAIA this season, wasn't his only impressive stat as he added 18 rebounds. Joining Loomis in double-figures were Tyrus Hosley with 12 and Davonte Cleveland with 11.
Upchurch had a huge game in his own right, scoring a team-high 29 points while pulling-down six boards for MU (6-18, 3-12). Ben Grandle came up just shy of a double-double with nine rebounds, while Brett Blackstock finished with a well-rounded nine points, eight boards and six assists for the Lions.
The Beacons are back in action next Friday, February 9 when they travel to Oregon Tech for a clash with the (RV) Hustlin' Owls. The Lions return to their home court where they host the No. 7-ranked College of Idaho Coyotes.