EUGENE, Ore. – NCU scored their most points ever in a Cascade Collegiate Conference game on Saturday night, earning their ninth straight win and moving into sole possession of first place in the CCC after topping Multnomah University, 103-83.  
 
The Beacons, ranked No. 17 in the NAIA, end the first half of the conference slate with a 9-1 record (16-4 overall) and sit one game up on No. 12 Southern Oregon University, who is 8-2 after losing to Eastern Oregon on Saturday night, 75-64.
 
NCU flexed their muscles in the win over the Lions, shooting 54% from the field including a strong 16-for-29 effort from three-point range. NCU turned the ball over just eight times, collected nine steals and held a 34-33 edge in rebounding. The Beacons also outscored MU off the bench, 40-14.
 
Leading the way for the Beacons was Omar Richard with 22 points. Javonte Byrd (pictured) added 18 points and six rebounds as both seniors shot 4-for-7 from beyond the arc. Jordan Alexander came off the bench to score 14 points while Donta Harris added 11 from the pine. Jack Hackman scored 11, adding a game-high eight rebounds.
 
Multnomah (4-14, 1-9 CCC) was led by Blake Updike, scoring 22 points. Thomas Simien added 18 points and Ben Grandle scored 14. The Lions shot 46% from the field and were 14-for-15 at the free-throw line.
 
NCU will start the second half of the round-robin CCC schedule with their toughest road trip of the year, hitting La Grande on Friday night to face Eastern Oregon University before traveling to Caldwell, Idaho on Saturday to play The College of Idaho.