EUGENE, Ore. – The No. 13 ranked Northwest Christian University men's basketball team climbed out to a 16-point halftime advantage and won by the same margin on Saturday night, knocking off Simpson University 81-65 in their final game before the CCC slate gets underway next weekend.
 
The Beacons shot 56% from the field and hit eight three-pointers as five different players scored in double-figures. A 42-29 rebounding margin did the trick as the Beacons survived a 16-turnover night that saw the Redhawks collected eight steals.
 
NCU (6-1) was off the bench by Anthony Walker Jr. who scored 16 points in just 22 minutes of action. The junior was 7-for-9 from the field and hit a pair of triples. Jack Hackman hit four treys and scored 13 points, matching the total of Brendyn Taylor, who was 6-for-8 from the field.
 
Kylor Kelley and Jay Mayernik hit matching double-doubles. Mayernik collected ten points and 11 rebounds while Kelley finished with 11 points and ten boards. Kenny Blackwell stayed off the scoreboard but collected eight assists. The sophomore point guard was on the court for just five minutes in the second half as every suited player for the Beacons was on the court at some point.
 
Simpson (1-11) dealt with foul trouble for most of the evening which led to backup post Justin Beskeen ended up with a team-leading 15 points. Josh Brakkee scored 13 and six boards and Aron Rudd posted 12 points and two assists.
 
The Cascade Collegiate Conference season will begin on Friday night the same way the last one ended; with a home game against Oregon Tech. NCU will hope for a different result as the Owls won that contest, 72-59. Tip-off for the game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.