EUGENE, Ore. – A ten-game winning streak at the Morse Event Center was put to a close on Saturday night with NCU falling to The College of Idaho, 82-69. Currently ranked No. 4 in the NAIA national coaches' poll, the Yotes end the first half of the Cascade Collegiate Conference schedule in a four-way tie for first place. The Beacons are two games back in fifth place.
 
After trailing by five points at halftime, 38-33, Northwest Christian turned the game into a battle in the second half. After being held to just seven points and zero field goals in the first half, NCU's Austin Kuemper quickly turned things around after the intermission, scoring the Beacons first nine points as the home team claimed a 42-40 lead at the 18:29 mark.
 
CI quickly tied the game and the teams would be tied three more times leading up to a 53-53 score with 9:57 to play. Suddenly, after being relatively quiet for the first 30 minutes, Joey Nebeker came alive for the Coyotes, hitting three-pointers on three consecutive possessions to fuel a 14-3 run that gave the visitors a lead they would not relinquish.
 
Northwest Christian (12-6, 5-4) shot 36% for the game and turned the ball over 16 times as the College of Idaho collected ten steals. NCU was led by Kuemper (pictured), finishing with 19 points, ending a streak of five straight games with at least 20. Devyn Iglehart added 13 points and led the team with seven rebounds and five assists. Michael Loomis came off the bench to score 11 and Javonte Byrd finished the night with ten. Travis Pacos had a quiet night on offense with just one point but added to his team leading steal count with three more swipes.
 
The Yotes (18-3, 7-2) had five players in double-digits led by Demetrius Perkins with 19. Sydney Donaldson and Nebeker added 14 apiece and Josh Wilson scored ten. Joe Vaz registered a double-double as he scored ten points and ten rebounds.
 
Northwest Christian returns to action next Friday, opening the second half of the conference season against winless Evergreen State at 7:30 p.m.