PORTLAND, Ore. – Warner Pacific overcame a 15 point first half deficit to defeat Northwest Christian, 78-72, in the NAIA Network Game of the Week at Bart Valentine Court tonight.

8th ranked NCU came into the game determined to tighten their grip on the CCC title race, and were the more aggressive team during the early action inside a packed C.C. Perry Gym. The Beacons (23-5, 16-2 CCC) were finding holes in the WPC zone for easy scores and closing down the lane defensively. After Jay Mayernik made a free throw to give NCU a 40-25 lead with 5:51 left in the first half, the contest looked to be going the visitors' way.

The game turned at that point as the 24th ranked Knights (19-8, 14-4 CCC) went on a 15-4 run and managed to trim the lead down to four points at halftime (44-40). Taylor Young scored eight points in the surge, while NCU committed three turnovers in the closing moments before the break.
 
After trading points to start the second half WPC took the lead for the first time at the 15:21 mark thanks to a Collin Malcolm layup, and would not trail again. The Knight defense began to take hold, forcing NCU into 25 percent shooting (8 of 34) in the period. The Beacons battled on and tied the contest on two occasions down the stretch, but the Knights surged in front by nine (76-67) with 1:34 to play. Two free throws from Jack Hackman brought Northwest Christian with four (76-72), but Keaton Bankofier sank a pair of free throws on the next WP possession and the Beacons came up empty on two attempts from behind the arc as the clock ticked away to the buzzer.
 
Young ranged inside and out to tally 25 points for Warner Pacific which led all scorers. Earl Jones added 15 points, while De'Jon Bowman grabbed 11 rebounds.

Javonte Bird led NCU with 19 points, with teammate Kenny Blackwell passing for 11 assists.