Box Score NAMPA, Idaho – Playing in front of more than 2,000 fans, the Northwest Nazarene men's basketball team made Paul Rush a winner in his first game as a collegiate coach.
The Nighthawks knocked off Multnomah 93-74 in their season opener at Johnson Sports Center during Homecoming festivities.

"We talked to the guys about the way to keep these people coming back is to give them a reason to come back," Rush said. "We feel like you do that by being a great defensive team – talking , being aggressive and get the crowd into it that way. As well as being fun offensively, attacking and moving the ball."

The Nighthawks (1-0) accomplished most of those goals throughout, dominating the Lions in the paint and holding them to 33.8 percent shooting from the field.

"One of the big things we really tried to emphasize is paint touches," Rush said. "Whether it is a post up or a drive, we want to play inside out."

The Nighthawks outscored the Lions 40-8 in the paint, with a majority of those points coming from players slashing to the basket.

Guard Obi Megwa scored a game-high 22 points and pulled down nine rebounds. He made several flashy scoop shots after taking his defender off the dribble.

"We recruited him to do this and as we've been going through the preseason I've been telling him to keep the gas pedal down and keep attacking," Rush said. "He is a good decision maker. We want to play in transition and make the defense guard us."

Jayden Bezzant added 20 points and Maurice Jones had 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Multnomah launched 45 3-pointers, making 16 to remain in the game, but couldn't overcome the inside play of Northwest Nazarene in the end.