NAMPA, Idaho – Northwest Nazarene men's basketball found just enough to hold on at the end against Northern State on Friday night, defeating the Wolves 68-66.
NNU improves to 3-0 on the year, marking the first time the Nighthawks have won the first three games of the year since the 2019-20 season.
In the first matchup between the two schools in their Division II eras, the difference came down to the three-point line and the free-throw line. The Nighthawks shot 44% from deep compared to 30% for the Wolves, and NNU made 21 free throws while NSU had just seven.
Northern State led early, but NNU went ahead with back-to-back triples from
Sullivan Menard and
Ryzin Bergersen (Biggie) that made it 15-12 at the 8:18 mark.
The Wolves went back in front momentarily, but two more three-pointers from Bergersen put the Nighthawks back up 29-23 with 3:14 to go in the opening half.
Easton Reagan then closed out the period with a layup, sending NNU to the break with a nine-point lead at 36-27.
Northern State came out strong in the second half though, rallying to tie the game at 42 at the 13:09 mark. NNU held off the charge for another five minutes, but NSU would eventually take a 51-50 lead on a free throw with 9:14 remaining.
The teams went back and forth over the rest of the game, with Northern State leading 64-62 with just 1:38 to go.
Yaru Harvey then took the game into his own hands, converting back-to-back tough driving layups to swing the lead back in NNU's favor.
Zane Foster then dropped in two clutch free throws to ice the game and send the Nighthawks to victory.
Briggs Ranstrom led NNU with 16 points in an efficient night, going 5-8 from the field and 6-8 from the free-throw line. He also added six rebounds, two blocks, and two assists.
Biggie Bergersen added 15 points, including a 4-6 effort from beyond the arc, while recording four steals. Harvey was also in double figures with 12 points and had seven boards and four assists.
NNU continues their season-opening five-game homestand next weekend, hosting Westmont on Friday, Nov. 22 and Jessup on Saturday, Nov. 23.
