SEATTLE – The Northwest Nazarene University men’s basketball team defeated Seattle University 74-67 on Saturday night in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference contest at the Connolly Center in Seattle.
The Crusaders, now 8-8 overall and 2-5 in GNAC play, held the Redhawks (6-10, 1-6 GNAC) to just over 40 percent shooting, including an 11.8 percent (2-17) mark from the three-point line. Just one week ago the Redhawks drained 16-of-28 treys against Humboldt State in Arcata, California in the upset of the Lumberjacks.
NNU was led by Mesut Ademoglu who came off the bench for 18 points and five rebounds. Daniel Nyom added 17 points and nine rebounds, while Raymond Butler scored 13 in the winning effort.
Bim Makinde led all players in scoring with 26 points, including 10 points coming from the free-throw line, while Bernard Seals added 19 despite not being able to hit a 3-pointer, going 0-11 from the arc. Jeffrey McDaniel added 14 points and nine rebounds.
Seattle University knew that things would be tough going into Saturday night’s game against Northwest Nazarene because it would be playing extremely shorthanded. Five bench players were suspended for violating university and athletics department policies, leaving head coach Joe Callero with few reserve options.
“We were a little concerned about the suspensions,” commented NNU head coach Mike Terpstra. “Simply because when that happens, teams usually play better because they feel like they have their backs against the wall. I thought our guys really stepped up and played well tonight, giving a great defensive effort.”
“We were out-rebounded in the first half and we stressed that in the locker room,” Terpstra continued. “We did a better job on the boards in the second half and that helped us get a lead and try to extend it as far as we could.”
NNU returns to Nampa to host Saint Martin’s College and Central Washington next weekend at the Johnson Sports Center. Both contests will tip-off at 7:00 p.m. and can be heard live on AM 950 KNJY.
