BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Five Vikings scored in double figures tonight as Western Washington cruised past the Eagles, 96-76, in Carver Gym in Bellingham.

The lone Eagle lead would be at 15:36 in the first half as freshman Rich Skillman hit a 3-pointer to put NU up 10-8. The Vikings' Morris Anderson would tie the game at 10 with his jumper and Michael Duty would put WWU in the lead for the remainder of the game with his lay-up at the 14:25 mark of the first half. WWU would then go on an 8-2 run capped off by Steve Alford's jumper to lead 20-12 with 11:37 left in the half. WWU would take a 42-29 lead into the locker room.

Western would go on a 7-0 run to start the second half to increase their lead to 48-29 before NU's Blake Solomon would hit a jumper to stop the Viking run. WWU's biggest lead of the second half would climb to 28 (84-56) and they cruised to their sixth victory of the season without a defeat.

The game was a non-counting exhibition game for the Eagles as their record remains at 5-3 going into conference play next weekend in Portland and Salem as they take on Concordia and Corban in CCC competition.

Sophomore Greg George led NU with 22 points. Senior Eddie Coulson contributed 13 points as did senior forward Greg Spurgetis with 10 points for the Eagles. Greg Peters (Soph., Belmont, St. Vincent) had a game high 15 rebounds on the night including 10 offensive boards. The Eagles cut down on their turnovers in the second half and finished with 18 for the night. Northwest shot 39% for the game and 28% from the 3-point arc.

Western Washington had five players in double figures: Ira Graham and Morris Anderson each finished with 17 points a piece; Steve Alford scored 14 points and teammates Michael Duty and David Brittinen each dropped in 10 points for the Vikings. WWU shot 59% on the night, 37% from 3-point range and out rebounded the Eagles by a slim 38-37 margin. The Vikings turned the ball over 16 times.