NAMPA, Idaho (BVM) – Before Northwest Nazarene men’s basketball tipped off their 2020-2021 season in January, there were more questions than answers. 

“We pushed through quarantines and [COVID-19] cases and were doing zoom workouts,” junior Kobe Terashima said. 

The pause on workouts halted a semester-long preparation for the upcoming season. With  returning stars and incoming players, the Nighthawks were looking to build off a competitive season ten months prior.

“The team last year paved the path for us this year,” Terashima said. “We had tremendous players last year, and they showed us what success is like.”

When quarantining was lifted, NNU was hit with another set of news. In compliance with the NCAA and Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC), each of the four participating GNAC schools would have no set conference games for the regular season. This meant NNU had to schedule games independently if they wanted to play.  

Despite the drastic change, NNU continued to prepare. There was uncertainty with how many games and who NNU would face, but the camaraderie of the players and coaches helped keep the team focused.

“We rallied together from just being a brotherhood,” Terashima said. “I just think that [those obstacles] can help build a team and push through adversity.”

On Jan. 9, the Nighthawks traveled up north to face Division I opponent Portland State University. Amari McCray led the Vikings with 21 points, but the Nighthawk’s shooting stayed hot the entire game. Led by senior Ezekiel Alley’s 27 points, the Nighthawks kicked off the new-look season with a 75-72 upset win. 

“I wasn’t sure what kind of energy we’d start with after the long break since the last time we played, but we had put in the hard work and preparation to get back to competition and the guys made the most of it,” NNU Head Coach Paul Rush said in an interview with Josh Burkholder.

Six days later, NNU faced Point Loma University in San Diego, Calif. Shooting 19% from three-point range, the Nighthawks faced their first roadblock of the season. The Sea Lion’s 87-57 victory was a tough pill to swallow for the Nighthawks, but the team already knew how to rally together when obstacles hit. 

“Having the culture consistently through year to year of a loving family is something that is unbreakable and helps us succeed,” Terashima said. 

Playing the following day, the Nighthawks would take flight. NNU’s 90-81 win over Biola University (Calif.) would start a nine game winning streak. With Coach Rush at the helm, the Nighthawks found a rhythm that was impenetrable for an entire month. 

With the help of an undefeated home stand, NNU finished the regular season with a strong 11-4 record. With no GNAC conference tournament, the fate of the Nighthawk’s season was in the hands of the National Tournament Selection Committee.

Watching the selection show on the big screen, NNU captured the only GNAC at-large bid to the big dance. In a season of ups and downs, the Nighthawks secured their first NCAA Division II National Tournament appearance in program history. 

“When I found out we were going to the national tournament, I was very excited,” Alley said. “I’ve put in a lot of work in the off season and to see it pay off felt good.”

A National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District Team selection, Alley’s league-high 19.9 points per game would carry the Nighthawks into a first round game in Golden, Colo. Listed as a No. 5 seed, the Nighthawks would take on a familiar foe in No. 4 seed Point Loma in their national tournament debut. 

Two months after the Sea Lions defeated the Nighthawks, NNU would return the favor. Alley’s 20 points and senior Sam Roth’s 18 points would lead the offense, with Terashima contributing a game-high four assists in the 85-73 victory.

“I think losing to them earlier in the year was a little more motivation,” Terashima said. “We were very prepared and had a good game plan from our coaches and that is what sparked the win.”

Less than 24 hours later, the Nighthawks would face No. 1 overall seed Colorado Mesa University in the West Regional Semifinal. Coming off their revenge game against the Sea Lions, NNU looked to keep the momentum going. 

Inside Lockridge Arena, the magic of March hit. With lockdown defense by the Nighthawks, the Mavericks shot 15% from the behind the arc and gave up 19 turnovers. With Alley’s season-high 30 points, the national tournament was turned on its head with NNU’s 74-54 win over the top ranked team in Division II basketball.

The Cinderella run would come to a close in the West Regional Final. Playing a fierce Colorado School of Mines team, the No. 2 seed would be too much for NNU. The Nighthawks would lose to the Orediggers 84-52, but their heads were held high after making history in their first Division II National Tournament. 

With all the questions going into the 2020-2021 season, the Nighthawks found their answers with an incredible bond and deep talent. Despite the setbacks, NNU men’s basketball put together a regular season and tournament run no one will soon forget.

“It’s been a special thing, to start here when Coach Rush became the head coach and to get to build the program alongside him,” Roth said to NNU Athletics. “It feels like a step towards the future for NNU men’s basketball. It is just a really special feeling to see the success come out of all of the hard work.”

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