CALDWELL, Idaho – The 15th-ranked Westminster men's basketball team used a string second half effort to defeat Northwest Nazarene University (Idaho), 73-68, on Saturday night to record their first win of the season.
 
Westminster (1-5) struggled to shoot the ball in the first half and they trailed 33-26 at halftime by shooting just 37.5 percent in the period. The Griffins never led in the half and Northwest Nazarene (1-3) had the lead at 12 on two occasions, including 31-19 with 3:56 to play in the half.
 
The Griffins would get the deficit within one three times in the first 10 minutes of the second half. They trailed 55-50 with 9:22 to play when they scored seven straight points to take their first lead of the night with a pair of free throws by Kenny Woodard with 8:23 remaining.
 
Quincy Bair converted an and-one at the 6:49 mark to put Westminster in front for good at 60-59.  William Walker also had a three-point-play followed by a Bair three to make it 69-62 with just under two minute left. They closed out the in with a Walker layup and two Woodard free throws in the final minute.
 
Westminster shot 12-of-24 in the second half and finished the game at 43.8 percent from the floor. They connected on nine triples, including five after intermission. The Griffins created 18 turnovers from NNU and converted them into 24 points.
 
Bair finished with a game-high 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting and three assists. Casey Evans scored a season-high 13 points and Woodard finished with 12 points and two assists. Colton Moon made three treys to finish with 11 points off the bench.
 
NNU shot 50.9 percent from the field and they outscored the Griffins 26-12 in the paint. Mike Wright led the Crusaders with 15 points off the bench and Kevin Rima added 13.
 
The Griffins will return home next weekend to play host to the Westminster Thanksgiving Classic. Their first game comes against No. 6 St. Gregory's University (Okla.) on Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. MT in the Behnken Field House.