NU's Greg George and Greg Peters combined for 25 points in the loss to ESC.
Menefee's Second Half Too Much for Northwest
KIRKLAND, Wash. – After being held to only 2 points in the first half, Evergreen State’s Nate Menefee exploded for 20 second half points to lift Evergreen State into a three way tie for first place in the CCC with an 88-77 victory over Northwest U. tonight in conference play.
Evergreen State jumped out early and led 10-5 on Menefee’s lone score of the first half at the 15:04 mark, but an offensive rebound and tip in by NU’s Greg Peters and a 3-pointer by Rich Skillman would tie the game at 10-all. Northwest would then go on a 6-2 run to take the lead capped off by Jason Waltman’s layup with 12:17 to go in the half. Northwest would maintain a slim lead a good part of the half and two free throws by Greg Peters would give the Eagles a 32-25 lead with 5:41 left on the clock. ESC would not be denied and would chip away at the NU lead and cut the lead to just one, 32-31 with 3:07 on Tyrell Dixon’s jump shot from the right side of the key. A jumper by NU’s Greg George would put Northwest up, 36-31, with 49 seconds to go, but Josh Troyer would cut the lead to two, 36-34 with 3 seconds to go in the half.
The Geoducks wouldn’t waste any time in the second half as Anthony Gallagher’s layup would knot the score at 36 a piece and Nate Menefee’s 3-pointer would give Evergreen State the lead for good at 19:02 mark, 39-36. Northwest would tie the game at 41-41 but ESC would pull away again and out score NU 15-8 to take a 56-49 lead on another trey by Menefee with 13:46 left in the game. Northwest would keep the game tight for the next 4 minutes but with 8:54 left in the game, Ben Wilson’s 3-pointer would give ESC a 68-58 lead. Every time Northwest would make a small run at the Geoducks, Evergreen State would answer with a score. Evergreen would close out the game making good their free throws as Northwest was forced to foul in the final minute of play.
Northwest U. (8-6, 4-1 CCC) had five players in double figures: Greg George with a double-double and 14 points and 11 rebounds; junior Tyson Christie with 13 points; Stedman Richardson scoring 12; junior Greg Peters with 11 points and 8 rebounds and sophomore Tyler Mendezona with a season high 10 points. Northwest out rebounded Evergreen State, 42-32 and shot 42% on the night from 2-point range and 47% from the 3-point line.
Evergreen State (11-4, 4-1 CCC) was led by Nate Menefee’s 22 points. Julio Feliciano had 15 points (6-6 on the night from 2-point range) and 11 rebounds for the double-double, Anthony Gallagher contributed 17 points and Ben Wilson scored 15 points for the Geoducks. ESC shot a blazing 55% from 2-point FG range and 47% from beyond the 3-point arc.