KIRKLAND, Wash. – The Northwest University gymnasium has always been a tough place to play. Small and loud, the Eagles have a distinct advantage when teams come into their house. The Beacons, however, were able to overcome the adversity, emerging with a 71-66 win in Cascade Collegiate Conference action on Friday.
 
The Beacons, ranked No. 19 in the NAIA national coaches' poll, had five players score in double-digits as they improved to 12-4 on the season, including a 6-1 mark in the CCC.
 
A closely fought first half featured three ties and four early lead changes and the Eagles led for nearly 13 minutes until the final 42 seconds. Kenny Blackwell tied the game with a driving layup and after an NU miss, Jack Hackman drove the lane with six seconds to play to give the Beacons a 37-35 halftime lead.
 
Northwest outscored the Beacons 10-4 to start the second half, taking a 45-41 lead at the 16:33 mark. The Beacons roared back once again, tying the game three times before taking the lead for good on a pair of Omar Richards free-throws with just under 12 minutes remaining. NCU would go on to hit six-of-eight free-throws in the final 44 seconds to preserve the victory.
 
"This was a great team win tonight," said Head Coach Luke Jackson. "We started off a little sloppy and didn't execute but when it came down to it we made free throws and winning plays."
 
Northwest (7-11, 3-5) was led by Dak Shagren, scoring 20 points on 8-of-16 shooting. Ben Tucakovic and Paul Loranger added 11 points each and Tomas Ogbaslassie came off the bench to score eight points and a team-best ten rebounds. The Eagles shot 40% from the field and out-rebounded the Beacons, 46-41.
 
Coach Jackson said, "Northwest is much better team than their record and I think they are going to win a lot of games."
 
The Beacons were led by Richards, scoring a double-double with 16 points and 13 boards, adding a pair of blocks. Blackwell and Jack Hackman (pictured) chipped in 13 points each and Austin Kuemper scored ten. Jay Mayernik scored 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench and Donta Harris scored eight points and two blocks in a reserve role.
 
Northwest Christian will return to action on Saturday night, traveling to face Evergreen in Olympia at 7:30 p.m.