KIRKLAND, Wash.  – Junior Michael Loomis hit a pair of late three pointers, helping the Beacons pull out a close road victory over Northwest University on Saturday night, 92-88.
 
The Beacons held a 41-34 lead at the intermission and never trailed in the second half, but a ten-point lead with 8:39 remaining had dwindled to a three-point edge, 76-73 with 2:50 remaining. Loomis hit a triple on back-to-back possessions and scored a layup on the next as the Beacons pulled out to an 8-476 lead with 1:30 to play.
 
NU never gave up the fight, but the Beacons went 8-for-8 at the free-throw line over the final minute to seal the win. A three-pointer from Ben Tucakovic with five seconds remaining made the game appear closer than it was, resulting in the four-point win for the visitors.
 
NCU (21-3, 14-2 CCC) had five players in double-figures, led by 18 from Kenny Blackwell who was 4-for-7 from three-point range. Loomis finished his night with 15 points, including ten in the final three minutes. Brendyn Taylor scored 12 and Jack Hackman added 11 in the win.
 
Senior Jay Mayernik, the NAIA's leading rebounder, posted his third consecutive double-double, giving him 14 on the season for a new NCU school record. He finished Saturday's contest with 13 points, ten rebounds and a season-high five assists.
 
Northwest (17-8, 9-8) was led by Tucakovic, scoring 27 points which included five three-pointers. Michael Dupree and Dak Shagren added 15 points apiece and Tre Benton scored ten.
 
The Beacons, ranked No. 8 in the NAIA Division II national coaches poll and expected to move up this week, will return to Eugene next weekend for their final two regular season home games. The team hosts Multnomah on Friday night before taking on Warner Pacific for Senior Night on Saturday. Both games will tip-off at 7:30 pm.