Emily Drivstuen (24) led NU with 27 points.
Northwest Drops Montana Tech for 4th Straight
KIRKLAND, Wash. - Led by Emily Drivstuen's 27 points, the NU Eagles won their fourth straight game defeating Montana Tech, 80-68, in a non-conference game tonight.
It was a combination of Northwest defense and cold shooting on Montana Tech's part that would lead to a 46-25 first half lead. Tech shot a cool 24% in the first half including 2-13 from 3-point range (15%) as the Eagles shot a blistering 58% from 2-point range and 55% from beyond the 3-point line. Consecutive 3-pointers by NU's Emily Drivstuen and Domi Mendezona would give the Eagles a 15-4 lead less than 6 minutes into the game. The Oredigger woes in shooting would continue as Northwest would build a 17 point lead as they would go on a 7-0 run that Drivstuen would end with her offensive rebound at the 7:25 mark. Another Mendezona trey would increase the NU lead to 19, 37-18 with 4:40 remaining in the first half. Carol Howard would hit a 3-pointer with 21 seconds to go to increase the NU lead to 21, 46-25 at the break.
Northwest would continue with the hot hand to start the second half and they would outscore Tech 6-2 to increase their lead to 25 points, 52-27 just one minute into the half. The Eagles' largest lead of the game would come at the 16:04 mark as Emily Drivstuen drilled another trey to grow the Eagle lead to 28, 57-29. The Orediggers would not go away easily and they would begin making a late run with 2:50 to go and cut NU's lead to 9, outscoring NU 9-2 to cut their lead to 77-68, but with just 43 seconds to go in the game. Northwest would make 3 of 4 free throws to close out the game for their fourth straight win.
Emily Drivstuen led Northwest U. (5-4, 1-0 CCC) with 27 points shooting 53% on the night going 10 for 19. Jessalyn Jackson would fall one rebound short of a triple double as she scored 13 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and blocked 9 shots for the night. Jackson now has 26 blocks in the last three games and leads the CCC. Guard Domi Mendezona scored 16 points including 4 for 4 shooting from the 3-point line and Carol Howard added 15 points. Mendezona added 9 rebounds to her totals as the Eagles dominated the rebounding with a 52-37 edge. NU also hit 15 of 16 free throws for 94% shooting from the charity stripe.
Montana Tech (3-6) was led by Mandy Machinal's game high 28 points, shooting 50% for the game. Teammates Dannielle Devenny and Bryn Hasquet scored 12 and 11 points respectively for the Orediggers. Tech forced 31 Northwest turnovers and managed 30% shooting for the night.
"The kids shot the lights out tonight and played well together," said Lori Napier, Eagle head coach. It was a good win against a good team."
Northwest U. will now take a break for final exams next week and resume play on December 19 and 20 when they resume conference play.