Box Score Boxscore

BELMONT, Calif. - Notre Dame de Namur handed the Crusaders their first loss of the season tonight, a 70-67 setback in the nightcap of the opening day of the NDNU Thanksgiving Classic.

A turnover and three missed free throws in the final seconds proved costly to the Northwest Nazarene (3-1) effort.

Tied 67-67 after a JB Pillard lay-in with 67-seconds to play, a bucket by NDNU's Eric Bell with 35-seconds gave the hosts a two-point edge. 

Following a timeout, Pillard committed a turnover with 17-seconds remaining, but it still wouldn't end the Crusaders chances as NNU's Keith Moilanen fouled Bell immediately and he would convert just one-of-two at the line.

Now trailing by three at 70-67, NNU freshman Matyas Hering missed a game-tying three pointer with three-seconds to play but the Crusaders grabbed the rebound and called a timeout.

Out of the huddle Hering again took the game-tying shot, but was fouled in the act by Bell.  Unfortunately for the Crusaders, Hering went 0-for-3 from the line with one second left.

Anthony Golden hit six-of-nine three pointers to lead all scorers with 22 points and Michal Kurimsky added 15 points and seven rebounds.  Pillard and Moilanen both finished with six.

Arron Mollet led NDNU (1-3) with 18 points and Tyler Fricke added 14.

The Crusaders finished 25 for 55 (46-percent) from the field and 12 of 22 (55-percent) from the three points line, but were outscored 22 to five at the free throw line.

NNU finished five of 11 while NDNU was 22 of 31.

The Crusaders will now face Dominican University tomorrow afternoon.