NAMPA, Idaho – Lexi Tubbs never planned to come to Northwest Nazarene to play women's basketball.

She was deciding between other schools including Point Loma Nazarene, which just so happens to have a beach on the Pacific Ocean on its campus.

The Northern Californian changed her mind once she visited Nampa thanks to some persistent effort from assistant coach Elpidia Allen, a shared love of Justin Bieber and the ability to participate in multiple sports.

"I had zero intent on coming here," Tubbs said. "Elpidia was really nice – I came (to visit) and just fell in love."

NNU was in transition at the time between head coaches, so most of the recruiting fell to Allen. The longtime Nighthawks assistant is a self-avowed Belieber (the nickname given to fans of the pop star), and when she found out Tubbs also liked his music, she sent her a note after her visit.

It was written on a notepad made out of Bieber's face and said, "Lexi – I think NNU should be your school of choice. (Heart) – Justin Bieber."



Tubbs immediately posted a photo to Instagram that said, "Best letter from a coach thus far."

Relationships like that is what drew Tubbs to Nampa and is something she has tried to pass on in her four years at NNU.

"Her off the court leadership is what really gives us an advantage," Allen said. "She does all of the team building community aspect that helps us grow."

For example, Tubbs started a Bachelor night at the Allen's house every Monday. The team gets together and watches the ABC reality show and has dinner.

"It's more relaxed and not so much basketball talk," Tubbs said. "We eat, we hang out, it's casual. It is refreshing to be friends with these girls and not just teammates."

The team bonding has paid off on the court as well as off.

Tubbs is enjoying her best season by far, leading the team in scoring with 12.9 points per game and rebounding at 6.5. She also runs track for NNU, winning the GNAC indoor title in the 60 meters last year.

Part of her big senior year in basketball is just getting older and more mature, but part is also helping fill the void when fellow senior Ellie Logan tore her ACL before the season began.

"I think the biggest thing is just her leadership and how she has stepped up in that area," Logan said. "She has always been that person who leads from behind. She sees what a group needs and then steps up and fills that need."

The Nighthawks (10-3 overall, 6-2 GNAC), who are ranked No. 6 in the West Region, are enjoying their best season since at least 2013-14. They opened Great Northwest Athletic Conference play 5-1, which is the best mark since moving up to NCAA Division II in 2001.

"We have been so close for so many years," Tubbs said. "I'm not sure if I was expecting it to go this well. I feel like we have so much more left in us as well and that it won't be over in conference for sure."

Even when Tubbs' season does come to an end, her legacy with the basketball program will continue because of her work with incoming recruits.

"She comes off as very shy, but she is very outgoing and very good with people," Allen said. "A lot of parents of recruits have commented on her about how she introduces herself and makes them feel welcome."

It's unclear if Tubbs utilizes the Justin Bieber stationary, however.