OMAHA, NE - The Nebraska Christian College Men's Basketball Team hosted regional opponent, Ecclesia College, on Saturday, February 1st. This was the second meeting of these two teams this year. Earlier in the season, the Sentinels traveled to Arkansas and escaped with a 2-point victory. The Sentinels were determined to have a better showing at home on Senior Night.

Prior to tip-off, NCC honored their lone senior, Jordan Makanjuola. Jordan is from Arlington, TX and has been a starting center for the Sentinels and has a career average of 5.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Jordan scored a career high 24 points against Doane University in a victory his junior year. He was also a key piece to the Sentinel 2019 Regional Championship team. He will graduate from Nebraska Christian this spring with a degree in Criminal Justice and looks to follow in his parents footsteps and use that degree to positively influence his community. Jordan has been an incredible presence at NCC and will be dearly missed. Jordan's mother, Susan, was in attendance to celebrate the last home game of his career.

The Sentinels were fueled early by the Senior Night Celebration and jumped out to a 15-4 lead over the Royals. However, no regional win is ever easy and this was no different. The Royals clawed their way back into the game, cutting the lead to just 1 with 7 minutes to go in the first half. The Sentinels would respond and stretch the lead to 38-30 by halftime. The Royals had one more run left in them and took a 2 point lead 6 minutes into the second half. However, the Sentinels responded and regained a small lead. After a few back and forth possessions, Jeff Butler hit a transition 3 for NCC to put them up 10 and the Sentinels would never look back. That momentum and lead would carry the Sentinels to an 85-68 victory and a very memorable night.

The Sentinels were led by Jeff Butler and Uzi Felix who each scored 23 points. Freshmen point guard, Jeremiah Coleman, gave NCC a 16 point - 12 rebound double-double. Senior Jordan Makanjuola gave the home crowd a quality performance to remember him by. Makanjuola posted 10 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block, and a perfect 2-2 from the free throw line.

Nebraska Christian will be on the road to Chicago, IL to play at Moody Bible College on Friday, February 7th.