Boxscore and Play by Play

NAMPA, Idaho - Tied 68-68 with 43-seconds to play, Adam Shildmyer converted two free throws to give the Crusaders the lead for good as the Northwest Nazarene men's basketball defeated Alaska Anchorage 76-71 on Saturday night in front of 1,741 fans at the Johnson Sports Center in Nampa.

 

Joel Ryman would follow Shildmyer's clutch free throws with a defensive stop, drawing a charge on UAA's Kenny Barker and giving the ball back to the Crusaders.  Tyler Roberts, Kendall Gielow and Shildmyer would combine to go six for six from the line in the final 22 seconds to secure the home-court win.

 

"Thank goodness we lead the nation in free throw shooting," commented NNU head coach Tim Hills.  "It gives us a sense of calm at the end of games.  We know we can knock them down when it counts and that made the difference tonight."

 

The Crusaders, who improve to 13-12 overall and 5-10 in GNAC action, lead the nation in free throw percentage, shooting 79.6-percent as a team to lead all of NCAA Division II.

 

Free throw shooting, combined with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 17 to 8, a season best mark for the Crusaders taking care of the basketball.

 

"Ryman did a nice job tonight at the point, just taking his time and taking care of the ball," Hills added.

 

Shildmyer led the Crusaders, sharing game-high honors with UAA's Jeremiah Trueman, with 23 points and Brian Barkdoll added 18 points and five rebounds.

 

Gielow scored 11 and grabbed a team-best six rebounds, finishing five of five from the free throw line, while Ryman had eight points, three assists and only one turnover in 28 minutes at the point.

 

Joining Trueman in double-figures for UAA were Barker with 18 and Brandon Walker with 11.  Both Barker and Walker grabbed nine rebound to lead the Seawolves to a 32-26 edge on the glass.

 

The Crusaders will close out the season next weekend at home, hosting Walla Walla University on Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m., and Montana State University Billings on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.