Boxscore
NAMPA, Idaho - Tied 67-67, the Northwest Nazarene men's basketball team had a shot to win at the end of regulation, but when
Anthony Golden's game-winning attempt rattled off the rim the Crusaders and Western Washington went on to overtime where the 24th-ranked Vikings converted five-of-six free throws for the 76-75 Great Northwest Athletic Conference win at the Johnson Sports Center in Nampa.
Golden, who finished with 16 points on four-of-five shooting from the three-point line, created a good look at the potential game-winner, but it rattled off the rim as the buzzer sounded. The Crusaders are now 13-11 overall, 5-8 in league play, and the Vikings improve to 23-5 overall and 10-4 in GNAC action.
NNU's
Jamie Eisinger scored the first two of the overtime with a jumper in the paint, however Derrick Webb would answer with a driving floater in the lane to tie the game for the 10th time of the night at 69-69. Webb led WWU with a game-high 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Brian Barkdoll then converted two free throws, giving him 19 points to lead NNU, with 2:45 remaining, but Zach Bruce answered with two free throws for the Vikings at the other end just 12 seconds later. Bruce finished with nine points and four rebounds, hitting on five-of-six free throws.
Tied at 71-71, Webb would add another athletic bucket in the paint for the Vikings and then watch as NNU's
Drew Eisinger would go one-for-two from the line, giving WWU a 73-72 lead with 37-seconds to play.
Drew Eisinger finished with 14 points and four assists for the Crusaders.
NNU would foul Morris Anderson with 26-seconds left and watch Anderson then miss one-of-two, giving the Crusaders another opportunity, but Golden's jump shot with 12 seconds to play went long and was rebounded by Webb. Webb converted both free throws after being fouled with seven seconds left to seal the victory.
Louie Beech's three-pointer with three seconds to play gave the game it's final margin at 76-75. Beech finished with 10 points and a game-high seven rebounds.
The Crusaders will play their final home game of the season on Saturday night, hosting Western Oregon University at 7:30 p.m.
