No. 14 Concordia tops No. 24 Northwest Christian for another overtime win
PORTLAND, Ore. – Playing its fourth overtime game in its last nine outings, No. 14-ranked Concordia University survived, 71-68, at home against No. 24-ranked Northwest Christian University on Friday night.
Concordia (13-3, 4-2 CCC) weathered a 33-point night from the Northwest Christian's (11-4, 4-2 CCC) Austin Kuemper, who made 12 of 15 shots from the field and 9 of 10 from the free throw line.
Concordia jumped out to an early 14-10 lead but could never gain separation because of a NCU defense that held them to 31 percent shooting in the first half.
NWC also struggled from the floor in the first half, shooting 35 percent in the face of similarly stingy Concordia defense. The teams combined to go 0 of 13 from 3-point range in the opening period, missing the few open looks the opposing defenses afforded them. Concordia led 26-23 at the break.
In the second half the Cavaliers briefly expanded their lead to as much as seven points, but were quickly caught as the Beacons battled back to a 41-41 tie at the nine-minute mark. Northwest Christian pushed the pace whenever possible and got multiple fast break opportunities during the period, putting Concordia on their heels.
The Cavaliers clawed their way back with a spirited defensive effort in the final minutes.
Davis Nuaimi (Fontana, Calif./Etiwanda H.S.) led the charge with several hustle plays and hit a pair of clutch 3-pointers, including the tying shot with 20 seconds remaining, to send the game to overtime.
The teams traded baskets and free throws in the extra period as the game went down to the wire again. This time, however, the Beacons were unable to hit a desperation 3-pointer to tie, handing the Cavaliers their third win in four overtime games this season.
Concordia had four players finish in double figures, led by
Anthony Holton (Portland, Ore./Sunset H.S.)'s 15-point night.
Tyler Velasquez (Colorado Springs, Colo./Doherty H.S.) (14 points),
Esvan Middleton (Culver City, Calif./Culver City H.S.) (13) and Nuaimi (12) also reached double digits, while Middleton recorded his eighth double-double of the year by adding 11 rebounds.
Northwest Christian saw Kuemper reach 33 but had only one other player in double figures, as Javonte Byrd scored 11. The Beacons shot 46 percent to the Cavaliers 34 from the field, but turned the ball over 19 times. More surprisingly, the CCC's top 3-point shooting team went 0 for 12 from 3-point range, a testament to the slugfest the game became.
Northwest Christian next plays at Warner Pacific in Portland at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 10. Concordia hosts Corban at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 10.