EUGENE, Ore. – Pre-Season CCC Player of the Year Austin Kuemper had his first breakout game of the 2015-2016 season on Tuesday night, scoring 21 to lead NCU to a 94-73 victory over cross-town foe New Hope Christian College.
 
Ranked No. 12 in the NAIA preseason poll, the Beacons improve to 4-0 for the first time during the NAIA era. New Hope starts their season 0-1.
 
The game was never in doubt as the Beacons rolled out to an 8-0 lead and cruised to a 48-35 halftime lead. Javonte Byrd and Jack Hackman each hit a pair of three pointers in the first frame for NCU.
 
The Beacons stretched their lead to as many as 32 points in the second half but were not quite able to hit the 100-point mark for the fourth time this season.
 
Four players were in double-figures for the Beacons who shot 56% from the field. Kuemper shot 9-for-13 from the field including a pair of treys and Omar Richards filled out the post play with 19 points, shooting 9-for-11 with nine rebounds.
 
Hackman finished with 15 points and Byrd scored 12. Kenny Blackwell led all players with a season-high 10 assists and scored eight points. NCU out-rebounded the Deacons 43-32 and held a 19-2 lead in points off the bench. Jay Mayernik came off the bench to recorded 11 rebounds, a season high.
 
New Hope (0-1) was led by Isiah Large, scoring 19 points. Carlos McLeod and Tayler Branch added 17 points apiece with McLeod leading the team with eight rebounds.