ROCKLIN, Calif. – A game-opening 14-0 run for William Jessup University proved to be the difference maker as Northwest Christian out-played the Warriors the rest of the way before falling 80-77 in the final game of the Bill Holtz Classic on Saturday evening.
 
The Beacons started the game 0-for-7 with six missed layups and three turnovers over the first five minutes of the game. Senior Logan Davis finally broke through with a three-pointer and NCU scored eight straight as they began to show some resiliency against the NAIA Division I foe.
 
A Stevie Schlabach triple ten minutes later gave the Beacons their first lead before the Warriors went into the locker room ahead 37-35.
 
Logan Davis tied the game up with a three-pointer five minutes into the second half and at the 14:14 mark Ernest Ugoagu drained one of his own to put the Beacons back on top, 51-48. The teams went on to trade leads five times and play through three ties down the stretch and NCU held a 75-73 lead with 43 seconds remaining. The Warriors went on a 7-0 run to close it out, icing the game with a perfect 4-for-4 showing at the free-throw line.
 
NCU (1-3) had five players score in double figures, led by Ugoagu with 19. Malik Corey (pictured) added 13 points, shooting 6-for-11 with four assists and four steals. Davis added 12 points, Schlabach put in 11 and Logan Sand scored ten in the loss.
 
William Jessup (4-0) was led by Isaiah Milan, scoring a game-high 23. Sam Howlin added a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, along with three blocks.
 
The Beacons will have the next two weeks off to hit the reset button before resuming play at home on November 15 when they take on Cal Maritime at 7:30 pm.