NAMPA, Id. — Northwest Nazarene put together a poised and disciplined performance Thursday night in Nampa, earning a 60–53 victory over Alaska Anchorage in a hard-fought conference matchup that remained tight until the final buzzer.
The Nighthawks set the tone early with energy on the defensive end, forcing turnovers and winning the rebounding battle to offset an inconsistent shooting start.
Briggs Ranstrom anchored the interior, while
Easton Reagan and
Jaden Byers applied pressure defensively to create extra possessions. Despite Anchorage finding early success from the perimeter, Northwest Nazarene stayed composed and within striking distance.
Midway through the first half, NNU found its offensive rhythm.
Garrett Hawkes sparked the run with timely three-point shooting, knocking down multiple shots from deep to shift momentum.
Aaron Murphy added physical finishes in the paint, and the Nighthawks limited second-chance opportunities to control the tempo heading into the latter stages of the half.
The second half featured multiple momentum swings as both teams traded baskets and defensive stops. Reagan emerged as a difference-maker on both ends of the floor, attacking the lane offensively while coming up with steals and key rebounds. Hawkes continued to stretch the defense with his perimeter shooting, connecting on another pair of three-pointers to help NNU maintain control during critical stretches.
Down the stretch, Northwest Nazarene elevated its defensive intensity. The Nighthawks forced turnovers late and calmly converted at the free-throw line to protect their lead. Reagan and Byers came up with key steals in the closing minutes, while Ranstrom and Murphy battled inside to secure crucial rebounds and limit Anchorage's opportunities.
Reagan led Northwest Nazarene with a strong all-around performance, finishing in double figures while adding multiple steals and rebounds. Hawkes also scored in double figures, with his three-point shooting providing a spark throughout the night. Ranstrom contributed on the glass and as a facilitator, while Byers added timely scoring and defensive energy.
With the Thursday night win over the Seawolves, the Nighthawks moved to a 9-4 record and a 3-1 record in conference play. The boys look to continue the home court dominance on Saturday as they face off against Alaska Fairbanks at home in the Johnson Sports Center.
