EUGENE, Ore. – After three weekends of Cascade Collegiate Conference action the Northwest Christian University Beacons sit alone in first place, thanks to an 83-74 win over Oregon Tech on Saturday Night. Michael Loomis (pictured) and Austin Kuemper combined for 46 points to lead the way for NCU.
 
The Beacons (11-3, 4-1) are now 8-0 at home for the season after shooting 51% in the game including an 11-for-20 night from three-point range. NCU held just a 42-39 lead at the intermission but shot 55% in the second half to pull away from the Owls.
 
The first half was a close one, featuring seven ties and five lead changes. The Beacons eventually pulled ahead by five with 1:46 remaining in the period when the Owls got a three-pointer and a layup from Lavar Moore to tie the game at 39-39. Then, on the Beacons final possession, Loomis buried his fourth triple of the half to give the Beacons the lead and the momentum heading into the second half.
 
That momentum continued into the second stanza as the Beacons scored seven unanswered points, capped off by a huge dunk from Kuemper, giving the Beacons a 49-39 lead. The Owls got as close as four points as Moore continued to pour it in and the Beacons were up 55-51 with 13:36 to play, forcing a timeout.
 
Whatever was said by Coach Luke Jackson and his staff seemed to have an impact as the Beacons marched to an 11-4 run to take an eleven point lead. That margin would grow to as many as 13 when Javonte Byrd connected on a three-point play with 7:40 to go and the Beacons were never in trouble after that.
 
Loomis came off the bench to lead the Beacons with a season-high 25 points. The sophomore went 5-for-8 from three-point range and added six points at the free-throw line. Kuemper scored 21, adding six rebounds and two blocks. Travis Pacos also had a big night from downtown, shooting 4-for-5 from three-point range to finish with 14 points and four assists. Devyn Iglehart scored just three points but led all players with nine rebounds. NCU held a 35-24 margin on the glass for the game and had just three turnovers on the night, the lowest total of the season.
 
Moore finished the night with 27 points for Oregon Tech (10-6, 3-3). The CCC's scoring lead went 11-for-18 from the floor including a blistering 5-for-5 from three-point range. Austin Flint added four triples and finished the night with 12 points as the only other player in double-figures for the Owls. Sherman Simpson came off the bench to score nine points while leading the team with eight rebounds.
 
NCU will hit the road next Friday for an important clash with No. 13 Concordia (12-3, 3-2 CCC). The Beacons will tip off with the Cavaliers at 7:30 p.m.