Box Score

EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University men's basketball team opened up play in the Mac Martin Invitational on Friday night with a 85-72 loss to the hosting Chico State University. The Beacons allowed a 69.6% scoring clip to the Wildcats, who had three players score at least 19 points.

“We had a great first half defensively,” said head coach Corey Anderson. “While we gave up a high percentage, we forced Chico into turnovers which put the ball into our hands to feed our offense.”

The Beacons (4-3) were led once again by Kellen Spicer, scoring a career-high 30 points as he shot 12-17 from the field. Spicer was a perfect 3-for-3 from three-point range and led the team with seven rebounds. Quentin Guidry followed with 20 points, and Brent McKee added ten, shooting 6-for-6 at the free-throw line. Mitch Wilson, making his first collegiate start, led the team with five assists, adding five points. The Beacons had just 11 turnovers in the game, while forcing 19 Wildcat turnovers.

Chico State (3-0) was led by Roderick Hawkins, who was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field, scoring 20 points. Damario Sims scored 19, going 7-for-10 and hitting four treys. Terence Pellum scored eight points and added a game-high ten rebounds as the Wildcats out-boarded NCU, 32-25. Sean Park came off the bench to score 19 points as the Wildcat reserves outscored the Beacon bench, 25-10.

One bright spot for the Beacons was the play of Jordan Myers. Starting just his second career game, the redshirt freshman was tasked with guarding Chico State Point Guard Jay Flores, and held him to 13 points on 40% shooting, while forcing him to make six turnovers.

Coach Anderson said, “Myers played a great defensive game tonight and Spicer was in the groove offensively for us.”

The Beacons return to action on Saturday night, finishing out the Mac Martin Tournament against undefeated Humboldt State University (3-0) at 5:30 pm.