Box Score

SEATTLE, Wash. — The road proved rough for the Crusaders on Thursday night.

Off to a slow start against host Seattle Pacific, the Northwest Nazarene men's basketball team saw its three-game win streak snapped by the Falcons, who posted an 83-68 victory in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.

"We weren't as sharp defensively tonight," NNU head coach Scott Flemming said. "They made us pay by shooting at a high percentage (27-of-52 for 51.9 percent).

"Every time we made a run to get back in the game they answered," NNU's coach added. "And we also struggled with foul trouble all game."

After a Kaileb Rodriguez bucket put NNU (11-10 overall, 8-7 GNAC) on top 4-2 in the opening 2 minutes, the host Falcons (10-13, 6-9) took control with a 15-3 run capped by back-to-back 3-pointers from Trey Miller.

A Nikola Prvulj 3-ball got the Crusaders close, down 19-16 with 9 minutes gone, but a Miller 3-point play just before halftime helped send the hosts into the break ahead by 13.

The difference grew to 45-28 early in second half, and to 69-47 with 9 minutes remaining, but NNU never quit.

A Carlos Garcia 3-point play trimmed the lead down to 73-57, and a Spider Adetunji bucket made the final difference 15 points, as the margin was just too great to overcome.

Bouna N'Diaye led the way with 17 points for NNU, which also got 14 points from Rodriguez, and 12 points and 14 rebounds from Maurice Jones.

After seeing their win-streak snapped, the Crusaders will look to start a new run when they head to St. Martin's on Saturday to play the Saints at 8 p.m. (Mountain time).

"We'll have to be better Saturday to get another challenging road game," Flemming said.