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Buzzer Beater Edges Eagles

PORTLAND, Ore. - Warner Pacific’s Ryan Parks hit a 3 point jump shot with one second remaining in regulation to hand the NU Eagles a 75-72 heartbreaking loss tonight in conference play.

In a tightly contested game that saw 11 ties and 16 lead changes throughout, NU’s Michael Russo hit two clutch free throws with 5 seconds to go in the game to tie the score at 72-all. It looked as though the game was headed into overtime, but Park’s heroics at the buzzer gave the victory to the Knights.

The two teams battled back and forth the entire game as Michael Greene would hit a jumper for NU with 53 seconds to go in the first half to make it a one point ball game at the half with Warner Pac leading, 39-38. The teams matched each other shot for shot as NU and WPC hit 44.8% of their shots and both teams shooting an identical 13 for 29 from the field. Michael Russo had 14 of his game high 33 points in the half.

The second half would be as tight as the first as there would be 6 ties and 8 lead changes. Ryan Dornik’s 3 pointer would tie the game at 55-all at the 10:34 mark, but WPC’s Zac Compton’s driving layup would give the Knights a 57-55 lead with 9:45 remaining. Ryan Parks would hit a trey to put Warner Pac up 62-60 and then teammate Jeremy Jones would also hit a three to put Warner up 65-60 at the 6:05 mark. Michael Greene would hit one of two free throws and after a WPC miss, Greene would score again to make it 65-64 with 3:55 showing on the clock. Parks would hit two free throws to put WPC up 72-69 with 21 seconds remaining but Michael Russo would be fouled on the three point shot attempt and would calmly hit 3 of 3 from the free throw line to tie the score at 72 with seconds remaining. Then, it would be Park’s jumper right before the buzzer that would give the win to the Knights.

Russo had the 33 point game high performance for NU (19-8, 9-6 CCC) while Michael Greene and Brett Skogstad each scored 12 for the Eagles. Russo also led the team in rebounding with 8 boards. NU hit 39% of their shots, 35% from the 3 point line and made 75% of their free throw attempts.

Warner Pacific (20-8, 11-3 CCC) got 17 points from Ryan Parks while Stephen Harris registered a double-double with 13 points and a game high 14 rebounds. WPC edged NU in rebounding with a 38-37 margin. Warner Pac shot 45% for the game including 44% from beyond the 3 points line.

Said John Van Dyke, NU head coach following the game, “I am very proud of the effort we displayed tonight. I hurt for our team because we battled and played so hard. Now, we need to get ready for some key games at home to finish out the regular season.”

Northwest U. will close out their regular season with two games next weekend against Southern Oregon and Oregon Teach and will conclude their season hosting Evergreen on Feb. 16.

 

 

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Posted on Saturday, February 2, 2013 Share on Facebook