Boxscore

NAMPA, Idaho - Northwest Nazarene's Paul Egwuonwu posted his first career double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds but University of Montana Western's Brandon Brown poured in a game-high 30 points to lead the Bulldgos to a 79-71 victory over the Crusaders in the second game of the Northwest Nazarene-College of Idaho Holiday Classic at the Johnson Sports Center in Nampa.

 

The Bulldogs, ranked 22nd in the December 6th NAIA Division I National Coaches Poll, improved to 9-3 overall with the eight-point win.  Earlier in the day The College of Idaho defeated Walla Walla University 89-69 in the classic-formatted tournament's opening game.

 

"Obviously, we didn't shoot it very well in the first half and that's what cost us the ball game," commented NNU head coach Tim Hills.  "We got off to a fast start inside, but then the outside shots weren't falling and you could see us get frustrated."  The Crusaders shot just 29.4-percent in the opening period, were just one-of-14 from the three-point line in the first 20-minutes, and trailed 36-25 at the half.

 

Bouncing back after the break, the Crusaders shot 58.6-percent (17-29) in the second half and opened the period with six-straight points from Egwuonwu, continuing the run to pull within three at 36-39 with 16:01 left after a jumper by Jamie Eisinger.  Montana Western would answer the 11-3 streak with a triple by Mark Lussier and build the lead back to 10 (40-50) after a Kyle Erickson three-pointer with 13:30 remaining.

 

NNU would cut the margin to two (55-57) after another Jamie Eisinger jumper in the paint with 8:35 to play, but it would be the closest the Crusaders would get.  The Crusaders cut the lead to three with 2:31 left after a Brandon Blair baseline jumper made it 67-70, but UMW answered with five-straight from Brown to seal the victory.

 

Joining Brown in double-figures for Montana Western were Cody Thueringer with 17, Tyler Hurley with 14, and Lussier with 10.  Brown converted five-of-nine three pointers, had five assists and also matched Thueringer with a team-high six rebounds.  The Bulldogs shot 50-percent (29-58) from the floor and 34.8-percent (8-23) from the three-point line.

 

Egwuonwu's 21 point, 11 rebound double-double were both career high's and he was joined by Joey Wayman with 12 and Jamie Eisinger with 11.  NNU out-rebounded UMW 37-34 and each team committed 15 turnovers.  Egwuonwu also led the Crusaders with five assists.

 

NNU will face Walla Walla University on Saturday night at 8 p.m., while The College of Idaho will battle Montana Western at 6 p.m.