NAMPA, Idaho – The Northwest Nazarene men's basketball team was ready this time.

College of Idaho again came out strong to start the Mayors' Cup game Tuesday in Nampa, but rather than let the game get away the Nighthawks used a big run to take control.

In the end, NNU will hold onto the trophy for a year after knocking off the Coyotes 83-73 in the second leg of the United Heritage Insurance Mayors' Cup.

"Coach (Paul Rush) was telling us that we need to be great," junior Adonis Arms said, "and we were only good when we played them last week and we gave them a 20-point advantage."

The Coyotes won last week's game in Caldwell 86-82 in double overtime, jumping out to a 24-5 advantage before the Nighthawks clawed back into it.

This week's game featured an early 26-19 lead for the Coyotes, but the Nighthawks came back with a 17-4 run to take a 36-30 lead with just over two minutes left in the half.

"It comes down to we were better in the first half," Rush said. "If we don't have to come back from 19 down in the first half that is probably what the first game looks like. They came out hot in the first half and we were ready to respond to it."

The Nighthawks (4-0) responded to adversity all night, dealing with leading-scorer Arms being in foul trouble and shots not falling early. The win ends College of Idaho's two-game winning streak in the rivalry and the Coyotes 9-0 start to the season.

"It's so satisfying," Arms said. "You saw me with the flag celebrating. With this win, it is going to build us even more into the season."

In the big first-half run, Arms had eight points highlighted by a dunk in the lane. Four other Nighthawks scored during the streak as they showed off their ability to spread the ball.

In the second half, Arms picked up a quick third foul and then his fourth foul on a double technical with 8 minutes left and NNU leading by seven.

Obi Megwa and Jayden Bezzant provided enough offense, though, to weather the storm.

"That is what is great about having a lot of firepower," Rush said. "Adonis is out and we just fed Obi. Let him create and score and just put him in the middle of it. If we don't have a second option like Obi then that is a rough storm to weather."

The other big difference in Tuesday's game was the debut of Jalen Burkett. The 6-foot-4 junior from Seattle rolled his ankle on the first day of practice and missed the team's first five games.

His impact was immediate as he is an elite defender who can guard from the post to the perimeter and at times was a one-man press with his ability to deny the ball.

"It felt great just to be out here with my guys," he said. "I'm known as an energy guy on our team, so even if I didn't do anything but provide energy that is what I wanted."

Megwa had a game-high 18 points, while Arms had 16 and Adalberto Diaz had 14. Bezzant finished with eight, Olamilekan Adetunji had six points and seven rebounds and freshman James Nelson had four points and six rebounds Burkett finished with six points, including a two-handed slam off a nice pass by Arms.

Gibson Berryhill's 17 points led the Coyotes.

NNU is back in action at 7 p.m. Friday against the University of Idaho at CenturyLink Arena in Boise.