George Fox jumped on the Eagles early, taking a 13-2 lead, capped off by three consecutive 3-pointers, two by Mike Taylor and one by Stephen Wiseley at the 16:11 mark. A Tyson Christie layup with 11:24 left on the clock would pull the Eagles to within four, 19-15, but George Fox would go on an 8-3 run as Mike Taylor dropped in his jumper with at the 7:23 mark to make it, 27-18, Bruins. NU would catch fire and go on a 9-0 run of their own to knot the game up at 27-all with 2:52 left until halftime. GFU's Wiseley would put the Bruins up 35-31 on another 3-pointer with 1:11 to go, but Ahmaad Cook would answer with his trey with a minute to go and the half would end with GFU up, 35-34.

 

The Bruins would start the second half with a back door dunk by Mike Taylor but he was whistled for a technical foul for hanging on the rim. The Eagles would make it a 4 point turn around as Daley Landon would sink both technical free throws and Ahmaad Cook would hit his driving layup at 19:27 to give NU the temporary lead at 38-37. With the game tied for its third time at 43-all, NU would hit five straight points on a Tyson Christie trey and a Jordan Call 15 foot jumper to put NU up 48-43 (16:21). The game would remain close until the 8:26 mark and NU leading 59-51. The Eagles would go on a 9-2 run to increase their lead to 15, 68-53. NU would out score George Fox 15-4 in the final 5:35 of the game to lock up their 10th victory of the season.

 

Six Eagles scored in double figures. Northwest's (10-2, 3-1 CCC) two big men, 6-9 senior Greg George and 6-8 senior Greg Peters each scored a double-double. Peters scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and George dropped in 14 points and gathered 10 rebounds for the Eagles who held the rebounding edge, 54-34. Junior guard Ahmaad Cook and senior wing, Tyson Christie had identical 13 points and 8 rebound nights. Senior Daley Landon scored 11 points and junior Rich Skillman contributed 10 points for NU which shot 45% for the game.

 

Mike Taylor led George Fox (1-6, 1-1 Northwest Conf.) with his 19 points and 8 rebounds. Stephen Wiseley and center Rich Smith each scored 13 points for the Bruins who shot 33% on the night, 21% from 3-point range.

 

"I felt our guys came out a little sluggish after a week of final exams," commented NU coach John Van Dyke, "but credit George Fox for coming out with their intensity to challenge us. I was proud of the way our team came out in the second half with better execution on offense and defense, team play and I felt we responded with more physical play inside." 

 

Northwest continues non-conference play against another Northwest Conference opponent, Pacific University, from Hillsboro, Ore. next Weds., Dec. 22 in the NU Pavilion. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.