Box Score OLYMPIA – Northwest Christian built a 25-point second half lead and cruised in from there, defeating the host Evergreen Geoducks, 83-68, in a Cascade Collegiate Conference men's basketball game played Saturday evening at CRC Gymnasium.

The Beacons improved their record to 9-3 and are now 2-1 in the conference, while the host Geoducks dropped to 3-8 overall and 0-4 in the conference.

Taking advantage of their significant size advantage, the Beacons pounded the ball inside for baskets, which then opened up opportunities for outside jumpers. The big size advantage – no Evergreen player was taller than 6-3 while the Beacons started a front line of 6-9, 6-7 and 6-4 to go along with a 6-4 shooting guard – also meant a big 44-22 advantage in rebounds.

Once the game started – it got underway about 70 minutes late because of a scheduling error with the officials – the Beacons didn't waste any time establishing themselves. Javonte Byrd knocked home a three-point shot on the first possession and Northwest Christian maintained the lead for all 40 minutes.

Despite that, the game was still close through the first 14 minutes, Evergreen pulling within three at 24-21 on a layup by Jarrick Mitchell. That's when the Beacons grabbed the game, running off 12 consecutive points with six different players accounting for the tally. At the half the Beacons held a 42-27 advantage.

Northwest Christian led by as many as 25 points, the last time at 81-56 on one of Kyle Ferreira's four three-point baskets. Despite being down by so many, however, the Geoducks continued to play hard. Donald Terry came off of the bench and found the range from three-point range, hitting a trio of long bombs on the way to 13 second-half points. Landon Rushton added eight points off the bench as well.

Terry finished the game with13 to lead his team in scoring while Alix Hernandez had 11 points and tied Jordan Dam with a team-high six rebounds.

The Geoducks shot 42 percent (25-for-59) from the field, including 30 percent (6-for-20) from beyond the three-point line. They finished with 10 turnovers, their season average.

The Beacons had three players in double figures, led by Jay Mayernik with 18 points on 7-for-7 shooting from the field. Ferreira scored 16 points off of the bench and Byrd ended up with 12 for the winners. Devyn Inglehart, the Beacons' quick point guard, finished with eight of the team's 23 assists.

Northwest Christian shot 56 percent (33-for-59) for the game.

Evergreen returns to conference action at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, when Northwest University comes to CRC Gymnasium.