La Grande, Ore. – The Northwest Christian University men's basketball team returned to Cascade Conference play Friday night with a 109-99 victory over Eastern Oregon University behind the stellar scoring performance by junior guard Ernest Ugoagu. 
 
After trailing by as many as 12 points early in the first half, the Beacons were able to rally back and finish the first half with a 49-45 lead. NCU shot 50% in the first half and 53% for the game from the field. The victory marks just the second time the Beacons have won at EOU and the first time since 2016. 
 
Junior Ernest Ugoagu led the way for the traveling Beacons (8-6, 3-1 CCC) with 16 first half points and a game-high 33 points for the game on an 11-14 shooting night from the field and 4-6 from beyond the arc along with six rebounds, and three assists. NCU had four other scorers in double-figures as Stevie Schlabach scored 18, Logan Sand 16, Malik Corey 15, and Kaden Sand 13. The NCU bench outscored EOU 37-18 in the victory. 
 
Landon Jones led the Mounties (7-7, 1-3) with 28 points and 14 rebounds while Jared Schetzle added 18 points and six rebounds. EOU outrebounded the Beacons 41-38 in the loss. 
 
The Beacons will continue their road trip as they travel to Caldwell, Idaho to take on the College of Idaho on Saturday, January 4, at 7:30pm MST.