Box Score Box Score

NAMPA, Idaho – The Northwest University men's basketball team came up short against nationally ranked No. 2 Western Washington University 59-70 in tonight's Great Northwest Athletic Conference showdown.
 
After a fast break dunk with nine-seconds remaining in the first-half by senior Kenny Jones, the Crusaders went into the half down only three points to the defending Div. II national champions 32-35.
 
The Vikings shook off a slow second half start to pull ahead late in the game, after the Crusaders led 47-39 with just under 13 minutes to play.
 
“I'm really proud of how our guys battled tonight,” commented assistant coach Jason Mejeur, “After being down ten in the first half and battling back to go up eight in the second half we really showed our character and what we are capable of doing.”
 
Jones led the Crusaders with 15 points on 5 of 10 shooting from the floor and dished out 4 assists. Fellow senior Jordan Nicholes added 12 and had 4 steals for NNU. Jonathan Hawkins chipped in 9 points and had 4 assists.
 
John Allen led the Vikings with 20 points on 6 of 16 shooting from the floor and grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Richard Woodworth had 19 points for WWU.
 
The Crusaders were 21-45 (46.7-percent) from the floor and 14 of 19 (73.7-percent) from the free throw line. NNU was out-rebounded by WWU 32-27.  The Vikings were 23 of 53 (43.4-percent) from the floor and 8 of 19 (42.1-percent) coming from beyond the three-point line.
 
NNU will be back in action Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. as they will host Simon Fraser University at the Johnson Sports Center in Nampa, Idaho.