Box Score

RENO, Nev. – The Northwest Christian University men's basketball team played their final exhibition of the season on Sunday afternoon and made an impressive showing in an 81-67 loss to The University of Nevada. The 14-point margin of defeat was the smallest ever for the Beacons when playing against an NCAA Division I opponent.
 
NCU never led in the contest as the Wolfpack shot out to a 9-2 lead. Nevada led by as many as 20 points late in the first half but a three-pointer from Travis Pacos with eight seconds to play made it a 41-24 game at the intermission.
 
NCU shot just 28.6% in the first half but improved dramatically in the second half as they outscored UNR over the final 20 minutes, 43-40. NCU went 5-for-9 from three-point range in the second stanza while the Wolfpack went 1-for-8. The Beacons, however, were never able to get closer than nine points as the aggressive home team managed to find their way to the free throw line 28 times in the second half.
 
The Beacons were led by Austin Kuemper (pictured) with 26 points including a trio of three-pointers. Michael Loomis also hit three treys off the bench and scored 12. Javonte Byrd added ten points while Jay Mayernik led the team with seven rebounds. NCU had just nine turnovers in the game.
 
Nevada had four players in double-figures including D.J. Fenner with 19 points. AJ West added 14 points with Michael Perez chipping in 13 and Tyron Criswell coming off the bench for 11. The Wolfpack won the rebounding battle 46-29 and shot 48% from the field for the game.
 
NCU (9-3, 2-1 CCC) returns to Cascade Collegiate Conference action on Friday, January 2 at 7:30 p.m., beginning the new year against Southern Oregon University (13-2, 3-1). The Beacons took three games from the Raiders last season.