Warner Pacific Wins Slugfest Over Northwest U.
PORTLAND, Ore. – Sean Gaines registered a double-double including a season high 22 points, helping #17 Warner Pacific to a 69-56 win over #10 Northwest University tonight in Portland.
The Knights improve to 13-4 on the season overall, and 5-1 in the CCC standings. The Eagles suffer their first loss of the year, falling to 14-1 overall and 5-1 in CCC play.
Defense was the story of the game as both teams struggled to find a rhythm offensively, particularly in the first period. NU built the first significant lead at 18-11 with 10:22 showing on the clock. A few moments later, the Knights drew within 22-21 on a Treavone Bowie three point make. The painted area around the basket was a fierce battle, which resulted in poor shooting from both teams in the first twenty minutes – 33 percent for NU and 37 percent from WPC. Northwest took a 27-26 lead into the locker room as both coaches were glad for the break to regroup their squads.
The second period was more of the same, and the Knights held a slim 44-42 lead with 10:32 to play. Warner Pacific began to find space for their scorers at that point, and managed to reel off a 12-2 run to break open the tight game. The gap remained above double digits the rest of the way as WP improved their scoring efficiency to 53 percent after halftime.
Gaines added 12 rebounds to his 22 points, while shooting 9 of 13 from the field. William Sharp had 12 points for the Knights, and Dane Johnson contributed eight points and seven assists.
Michael Green led Northwest with 12 points, while Rich Skillman added 10 points and six assists.
Warner Pacific will host Evergreen State tomorrow night, while Northwest travels across town to face Concordia.