Editor's note: A previous version of this story had the wrong year for the last time the NNU men's basketball team qualified for the postseason. The correct year was the 2014-15 season.

NAMPA, Idaho – Obi Megwa celebrated his 22nd birthday in fine fashion Thursday night.

The Northwest Nazarene senior point guard made his usual dazzling array of baskets at the rim, keyed a late run and led the Nighthawks to within one win of a playoff berth.

Megwa scored 23 points as the NNU men defeated Alaska Anchorage 87-77 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.

"This is an awesome birthday present," he said. "My teammates were feeding me confidence all day and they told me to just go do my thing."

That was evident pre-game as the group gathered around the lane during warmups and watched as Megwa threw-down a dunk off the bounce.

He continued that energy in the game.

Megwa scored 17 second-half points including seven points during a 9-0 run that sealed the game.

With NNU leading 69-57 with 7 minutes remaining, Megwa stole the ball and made a three-point play.

After a Sam Roth steal, Megwa had an up-and-under layup. Megwa then forced a turnover and fed the ball to Adonis Arms for a dunk and after another Megwa steal, he had a layup for a 78-57 lead.

"It is awesome to see that leadership from Obi," NNU coach Paul Rush said. "He's done that multiple times this year where you can kind of feel the game getting away a bit. He is such an explosive player."

The victory moves the Nighthawks (17-4 overall, 12-3 GNAC) within one victory of clinching a spot in the GNAC tournament for the first time since the 2014-15 season.

A big part of that was their solid defense Thursday, as they played tight perimeter defense against an Anchorage (12-11, 7-8) squad that loves to fire away from long range.

"At their place they were hitting all types of shots," Arms said. "Now that we are switching everything, it gives them a different look and they couldn't handle it tonight."
Arms had a big all-around night, finishing with 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals. All while being sick and throwing up in the first half.

"I just want to win every game," he said. "Don't matter if I'm sick or hurt, if I can play through it and have that mindset that nothing is going to stop me, then I'm going to do it."

Arms was a big part of a 19-4 run in the final minutes of the first half that gave the Nighthawks some breathing room.

With the game tied at 28-28, Arms made a layup with 4:59 left. Jayden Bezzant then hit a layup, Zac Furgerson had a bucket, Bezzant had two free throws and a jumper, Arms hit two jumpers, Olamilekan Adetunji made a layup and Adalberto Diaz capped it off with a 3-pointer.

NNU led 47-32 and weren't challenged again until Megwa took over late.

Bezzant finished with 15 points, while Diaz had nine and Adetunji seven.

"The chemistry with our team is great," Megwa said. "We have a really strong bond and we've been through a lot and we are just resilient."

NNU hosts Alaska at 7 p.m. Saturday.