ATHERTON, Calif. – The Northwest Christian University men's basketball team pushed NAIA D1 Menlo College to their limits on Saturday, but their efforts came up just short in a 73-71 loss.
 
Northwest Christian (3-2) out-rebounded the Oaks (8-1) 33-28 while shooting 48.1% on the afternoon, led by senior Michael Loomis who went 13-18 from the field, good for 72%. Loomis had a career-best 30 points, while also grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds.
 
Strong play from both sides began the game, with the two teams each shooting 48% in the first half, during which the lead changed hands seven times with five tie scores. The Beacons battled-back from a nine-point deficit mid-way through, trading points with MC before going into the intermission down by two.
 
The Beacons hit the first five field-goals to begin the second half, with Menlo adding in two free-throws to keep the score within five. The Oaks took the lead for good at the 11 minute mark, getting their lead up to nine with just over two minutes to go.
 
Point guard Kenny Blackwell took over with nine of his 19 points in the final two minutes, closing the gap for the Beacons. After downing a fast-break layup with six seconds left, Blackwell swiped one of his two steals and was quickly fouled at the two second mark, sending him to the line to shoot two with his team down three. After hitting the first, Blackwell intentionally missed the second to give his team a chance to land a put-back off the rebound. Unfortunately for NCU, the rebound landed in the hands of Menlo guard Jeremiah Testa, sealing the victory for the Oaks.
 
Menlo had five players land in double figures, including three off the bench in Charles Neal (12), N'Jai LeBlanc (12), and Jared Wall (10). John Paine led the Oaks with 18 points, while Testa added ten of his own to go along with six boards.
 
The Beacons return to the court on Tuesday, November 28 when they kick-off their CCC schedule on the road against the Corban Warriors at 7:30 p.m. in Salem.