EUGENE, Ore.  – It was another record-setting night for the No. 8 Northwest Christian University men's basketball team as they defeated Northwest University, 68-57 behind 21 points from freshman point guard Kenny Blackwell. With the victory the Beacons clinch their first ever home playoff game in the Cascade Collegiate Conference.
 
NCU also tied a school-record with their 15th straight win, a feat last accomplished by the Northwest Christian College Crusaders in 1977. The Beacons improve to 22-4 for the highest win total in 15 years. They also improve to 15-1 in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, remaining one game ahead of No. 14 Southern Oregon for first place.
 
It was never a runaway victory for the Beacons as NU played step-for-step with the conference leaders. NCU held the Eagles to just one field goal over the first eight minutes of the game, but were only ahead 10-7 when the visitors hit their second, a three-pointer from Dak Shagren.
 
The threes continued to pour in for NU, especially for Michael Dupree who drained three in the first half, scoring 15 points as the Eagles pressured their way to a 28-26 halftime lead.
 
The start of the second half mirrored the first as the Beacons went on a 16-2 streak to open the period and build a 12-point lead. A three-pointer from Donta Harris gave NCU their biggest lead of the night, 50-37 and they would hold on to earn the 11-point win.
 
Blackwell ended the night shooting 4-for-5 from three point range to score his team-high 21, adding team-highs with eight rebounds and four assists. Omar Richards was close behind with 19 points, adding seven boards. Austin Kuemper and Javonte Byrd netted eight points apiece and the Beacons ended the night shooting 48% from the field.
 
Northwest (10-17, 6-11 CCC) was led by Dupree with a game-high 25 points, shooting 4-for-9 from outside and a perfect 5-for-5 at the free-throw line. Shagren added 13 points and Zach Smith finished with 10. Ben Tucakovic scored four points and posted a game-high 11 rebounds before fouling out.
 
NCU will be on the road for the last time in the regular season next weekend, beginning with a Friday night clash in Portland against Multnomah (4-20, 1-15). On Saturday the team will face off against Warner Pacific (17-8, 12-4), a team currently receiving votes in the NAIA national coaches poll. Both games are scheduled to tip-off at 7:30 pm.
 
Northwest has three games remaining in the regular season as they fight to hold on to the eighth and final playoff spot. The Eagles will be in Walla Walla to face the WWU Wolves on Saturday night at 8:30 pm.