Knights Celebrate Quarterfinal Win vs. NCU
Warner Pacific Stops NCU, Advances to Semis
PORTLAND, Ore. – Warner Pacific held off a spirited challenge from Northwest Christian, winning 73-65 in a CCC Tournament quarterfinal game in Portland tonight.
The host Knights controlled much of the action, but the Beacons were betting on a third straight win at C.C. Perry Gym and pushed WPC until the final horn.
The teams battled back and forth in the opening half, but the Knights managed to build a nine point advantage (30-21) on a Jake Glisson three pointer at the 3:06 mark. NCU answered with a 6-1 run and closed the gap to 31-27 at the break.
The Beacons then scored the first five points of the second half to lead 32-31 and seemed to have momentum. Biniam Tadele responded with a trey to put WP back on top however, and the Knights never trailed again.
A Webster Moreland put back gave the Knights their largest lead of the game (60-48) with 7:04 to play, but the Beacons clawed back within six points at 1:04 to play. Moreland then hit 4 of 6 free throw chances down the stretch, and Kaylone Riley provided a key block at the rim to keep NCU at arms length.
Jake Glisson led WP with 18 points including 3 three pointers. Riley added another double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds, and also had 6 blocked shots.
Northwest Christian was led by Ben Voogd with 23 points and 6 steals. Brent McKee added 10 points off the bench.
Warner Pacific improves to 21-8 overall and will now travel to Eastern Oregon on Saturday, Feb. 27th for a semifinal contest. Northwest Christian ends the season with a 14-17 record.