LA GRANDE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University men's basketball team shot well on Friday night, but were unable to overcome the offensive efforts of EOU as they finished on the losing end of a 93-85 CCC game.
 
NCU (4-5, 0-2 CCC) had one of their best shooting performances of the season in the loss, hitting 58.2% of their attempts compared to 44.1% by the Mountaineers. EOU's opportunistic 19 points off turnovers and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch sealed the victory for the home team.
 
The fast-paced, offensive showcase featured seven lead changes with nine tie scores. Streaky stretches saw both teams gain leads of 7 points in the first 20 minutes of action. With Northwest Christian up six at just over two minutes remaining in the first half, EOU scored nine of the final 11 points to enter the intermission with a one-point advantage.
 
Jordan Alexander scored eight points in the first three minutes of second-half action, contributing to an 11-point NCU lead with 14 minutes to go. EOU guard Jordan May hit threes on back-to-back possessions to cut the lead to five. The two sides traded buckets for the next ten minutes, with the Mountaineers whittling-away at the deficit to finally take the lead at the four-minute mark. Eastern Oregon sank 11 of 12 free-throws down the stretch to hold-off the Beacons and seal their first conference win of the year.
 
Alexander was one of three Beacons with 14 points, going a perfect 5-5 from the field and sinking both of his free-throws. Point guard Kenny Blackwell had 14 points and five assists, while Austin Tyner came off the bench to contribute 14 of his own. Devonte Cleveland scored 12 points, with teammates Michael Loomis and Canyon Dwyre each chipping-in nine.
 
The Mountaineers (9-2, 1-2) benefitted from a 35 point effort by Max McCullough, who played the entire 40 minutes of action. May scored 20 points, while Blake O'Donnell scored 14. Peter Ede came off the bench to grab a game-high eight boards.
 
Northwest Christian looks to bounce back tomorrow night when they head north to take on the No. 12 College of Idaho Coyotes at 7:30 p.m.