BOX SCORE SALEM – Northwest Christian rallied from a 15-point second half deficit to force overtime on the way to a 75-72 victory over the host Corban Warriors in a Cascade Collegiate Conference men's basketball game played Saturday night in C.E. Jeffers Sports Center.

The Beacons improve their overall record to 16-12 and are now 10-8 in the conference, and they advance to the CCC postseason tournament. Corban's season comes to an end with an 8-20 overall record, including a 3-15 mark in the conference.

Corban, which entered the game on a modest two-game winning streak, built on a 30-27 halftime lead in the early minutes of the second half, taking its first double-digit advantage of the game at 45-34 on a pair of Toby Roth free throws with 14:42 to play.

The Warriors stretched their lead to 15 at 52-37 when Jordan Carter knocked down a pair of charity tosses, but NCU started its comeback the next time down the floor when Javonte Byrd drained one of his three three-point baskets.

Northwest Christian still trailed 61-52 with 4:54 to play when it scored 12 consecutive points, capped by a pair of Coleton Baker free throws with 1:01 on the clock.
Corban tied it at 64-64 with 47 seconds left on a 28-foot three-pointer by Caleb Herzberg, and Byrd missed a potential game-winning three from the left side at the buzzer, forcing overtime.

Carter hit a layup about a minute into the overtime to put the hosts up by two, but Baker answered with a three to give NCU the lead. Toby Roth hit a three-point shot to put the Warriors back on top 69-67 with 3:13 left, but a Travis Pacos baseline jumper and another big three-ball from Baker gave NCU a 72-69 lead with 1:19 to play.

Cyrus Ward cut the lead to two points with a free throw, but NCU broke a Corban press and Austin Kuemper dunked to give the Beacons a 74-70 advantage. Carter hit a layup and Byrd made one of two free throws to make the score 75-72, giving Corban a chance at a game-tying shot.

Herzberg, who nailed five long balls during the game, put up a shot under heavy duress from the left wing and the shot missed at the buzzer.

Baker led four NCU players in double figures with 19 points. Joining him were Byrd with 16, Spencer Coleman with 13 and Pacos with 12. Kuemper had nine rebounds, eight points and six assists in a winning cause.

For the Warriors, Carter finished with 22 points, Herzberg had 21 and Roth and senior Josiah Sebens 11 apiece. Carter made it two straight double-doubles with 10 rebounds. Roth led all players with seven assists.