NAMPA, Id - The Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks gave their home crowd a Senior Night to remember, outlasting Western Washington Vikings 87–84 in a thrilling back-and-forth battle inside the Johnson Sports Center. In a game that featured 10 lead changes and eight ties, the Nighthawks delivered in the biggest moments, closing the final minutes with poise at the free-throw line to secure the victory.

From the opening tip, NNU set the tone by attacking the paint. Senior forward Michael Day wasted no time getting involved, scoring the team's first four points on back-to-back layups. The Nighthawks built an early 6–0 cushion behind strong interior play and defensive pressure, but Western Washington quickly responded, turning the game into a tight contest midway through the first half.

The first 20 minutes were defined by momentum swings. Every NNU run was met with a Viking answer. Briggs Ranstrom provided a spark with physical finishes around the rim and second-chance points, while Jaden Byers began to find his rhythm both slashing to the basket and stepping out to knock down a three. Despite shooting just 28.6 percent from beyond the arc in the first half, the Nighthawks stayed within striking distance thanks to their dominance inside. NNU scored 48 points in the paint on the night and turned 15 offensive rebounds into 21 second-chance points.

Trailing 42–41 at halftime after a buzzer-beating three from Day cut into the deficit, the Nighthawks came out of the locker room determined. Ranstrom immediately went to work, knocking down free throws and later adding a three-pointer to keep the game tight as Western Washington briefly extended its lead.

The second half turned into a grind. Western Washington pushed its advantage to as many as seven points midway through the period, capitalizing on transition opportunities. But NNU refused to let Senior Night slip away. Kyelin King provided a crucial lift off the bench, throwing down a pair of electrifying dunks that ignited the crowd and swung momentum back in favor of the Nighthawks.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, Ranstrom gave NNU its first lead of the half on a strong finish inside, and from there the contest tightened even further. Byers took control down the stretch, repeatedly attacking the paint and drawing contact. The senior guard finished with a game-high 25 points on 8-of-13 shooting and went 8-of-11 from the free-throw line, including several clutch makes in the final minute. 

Ranstrom delivered one of his most complete performances of the season, pouring in 20 points on an efficient 8-of-10 shooting while grabbing five rebounds and adding four assists and two blocks. Day was a force on the glass, finishing with 20 points and a team-high 11 rebounds for a double-double. His relentless effort on the offensive boards created multiple second-chance opportunities that proved critical in a three-point game. 

Garrett Hawkes added 10 points and five assists, while Easton Reagan contributed on the defensive end with key rebounds and steals despite a tough shooting night. As a team, the Nighthawks shot 45.5 percent from the field and knocked down 21 free throws, many of which came in high-pressure moments late in the game. 

The final two minutes showcased NNU's composure. After surrendering a narrow lead, the Nighthawks responded with consecutive finishes at the rim from Byers and Ranstrom to reclaim control. With Western Washington forced to foul, Byers calmly stepped to the line and converted four straight free throws to extend the margin. Hawkes added another free throw in the closing seconds to seal the 87–84 victory, sending the Senior Night crowd into celebration. 

Beyond the stat sheet, the night carried special meaning for NNU's seniors, who left the home floor with a hard-fought win in front of family, friends, and fans. Their leadership was evident in the closing stretch, as poise and execution made the difference in a game that could have swung either way. 

With the victory, the Nighthawks not only celebrated their seniors in style but also secured their spot in the upcoming GNAC postseason as the three seed. The momentum from this emotional home win carries significant weight as NNU now turns its focus to the GNAC playoffs, which begin next week. Riding the energy of Senior Night and a resilient performance against a tough conference opponent, the Nighthawks head into postseason play confident and battle-tested.

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