LOS ANGELES – Northwest Nazarene men's basketball rallied for a double-digit second-half comeback before taking down Cal State LA 87-82 in double overtime on Thursday night.
The Nighthawks bounce back from Tuesday's defeat at Point Loma and improve to 2-1 on the young season.
How It Happened
NNU and CSLA kept things close to start, taking a seven-point lead at 27-20 and hanging on to a 35-32 advantage at the half.
The Golden Eagles came out of the half strong, though, going on an 11-0 run early to go up eight. CSLA would lead by as much as 10 in the second half, holding a 55-45 advantage with 9:43 to play.
NNU started clawing back, however, and would trail by just five, 70-65, with two minutes to play. Two free throws from
Aaron Murphy and one from
Christian Rose later, NNU trailed by three at 71-68 at the 1:06 mark.
Tru Allen came up with the big shot in regulation, knotting things up at 71 apiece on a triple with just nine seconds to play to send it to overtime.
Neither team had much offense in the first overtime with five points each, as Allen was the hero again for the Nighthawks with a layup with six seconds left to tie things at 76.
In double overtime, the teams were still tied at 79 before NNU went on a 7-0 run.
Aaron Murphy started it with a layup, followed by three free throws and a layup from
Kobe Terashima. CSLA hit a late three, but the Nighthawks' lead would hold for the 87-82 win.
Nighthawks Notes
- The Nighthawks have a recent history of overtime early in the season, going to extra time three times in the first seven games last year
- NNU outrebounded CSLA 54-36 and used that to their advantage on the offensive end, racking up 23 offensive boards that turned into a 22-7 margin in second chance points
- The Nighthawks took 23 more free throws, going 23-33 while the Golden Eagles were 7-10
- Tru Allen led the Nighthawks with 23 points, equaling his career high set last Saturday against Evergreen State
- Gabriel Murphy added his first double-double of the season with 11 points and 12 rebounds
- Kobe Terashima had a great all-around game with 16 points, seven assists, and five rebounds
- Christian Rose added 12 boards along with eight points and four blocks
Next Up
The Nighthawks return home for the annual rivalry battle with College of Idaho, hosting the Yotes in the 111
th edition of the Mayors' Cup on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7:07 p.m.
