EUGENE, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University men's basketball team picked up their first win of the season on Saturday night, taking care of Portland Bible College, 101-80.
 
The Beacons (1-1) took the early lead and never looked back, building an 18-point halftime advantage and cruising into the finish line. NCU shot 52% from the field and were 22-for-28 at the free-throw line while holding the Wildcats to 44% shooting.
 
Junior Ernest Ugoagu led NCU with 24 points and two blocks, shooting 11-for-17 from the field while Stevie Schlabach added 22 along with four steals to close out a debut weekend in which the freshman averaged 23.5 points per game and shot 67% from the field. Riley Anderson produced 14 points, taking on his former school for the first time, and Malik Corey (pictured) went 5-for-7 from the field for 13 points. Anderson and Kaden Sand posted five rebounds each to lead the team as NCU was out-rebounded, 46-32.
 
Portland Bible was led by Moses McEwen, scoring 32 points and 14 rebounds. Joshua Patton posted ten points while Ahmad Kempster and Antoine Wilder had nine points apiece. Wilder also led all players with six assists and five turnovers.
 
NCU will hit the road for the first time next weekend, traveling to Rocklin, California for the Bill Holtz Classic at William Jessup University.