EUGENE, Ore.  – Erykah Campbell hit a pair of free throws with ten seconds remaining to lift Multnomah University to their first win ever against Northwest Christian University, 54-53.
 
Neither team shot the ball well on Friday night in a game that saw the visiting Lions take a 31-21 lead into halftime. The Beacons roared back with a 22-9 third quarter and led by as many as eight points midway through the second-half.
 
The fourth quarter, however, belonged to Multnomah as they held NCU scoreless over the final four minutes, scoring six straight points and forcing seven Beacon misses to climb back from a late 53-48 deficit.
 
After Connor Borigo fouled out with 34 seconds remaining and NCU still ahead 53-52, the Lions were forced to use a pair of time outs during the ensuing possession. The final timeout set up an in-bound play to the six-foot six-inch Campbell who caught the pass before Hannah Eddens was called for a foul.
 
Campbell actually missed the first of her two free-throw attempts, but a lane violation by the Beacons gave her an extra try. The junior proceeded to hit both and two late NCU field goal misses secured the win.
 
Multnomah (9-7, 4-3 CCC) had never won more than eight games in a season during their short history but will sail passed that mark with two-thirds of the conference schedule left to be played. The Lions shot 31% in the game and were 7-for-18 from three-point range but used a ten-steal night forcing the Beacons into 19 turnovers. Sequoia Wheeler led the way, scoring a game-high 24 points as she went 4-for-6 from outside. Alaygza Portis chilled in ten points and tied Campbell for the team lead in rebounds with seven.
 
The Beacons (6-11, 3-5) were led by Morgan McKinney who posted a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds, adding three assists and three steals, both game-highs. Borigo scored ten points and had nine rebounds and Kaylynn Bush scored eight points.
 
NCU will return to action on Saturday night, playing host to Warner Pacific at 5:30 pm. The Lions head to Salem to take on Corban University at the same time.