Northwest and C of I would battle back and forth to start the game as NU would hold a narrow, 17-16 lead after twelve minutes of play in a low scoring first half. NU would then hit two straight 3-pointers, one by Rich Skillman and the other by Daley Landon to lead 23-16 with 5 minutes left in the half. After a jumper by C of I’s Duncan Koga, Jordan Call would drop in another trey to increase the Eagles’ lead to eight points, 28-20 with 2:40 remaining in the half. After a C of I miscue and a missed shot by NU, Steve Peres would hit a jumper for the Yotes to pull them to within six, 28-22, but Daley Landon would answer right away with another 3-pointer to give Northwest U. a 31-22 lead at the half.

 

Northwest would lead the entire second half and with NU holding on to a ten point, 53-43 lead with 7:58 to go in the game, the College of Idaho defense would toughen and they would slowly whittle away the Eagles’ lead. Two free throws by C of I’s Krispin Banks would cut NU’s lead to 6 points (53-47) with 5:51 on the clock. After a steal by Matt Ballenger, Banks would be fouled and make one of two free throws. Tyler Young would grab Banks’ miss for the tip in and the Eagles’ lead would be down to three, 53-50, at the 4:25 mark. NU’s Greg Peters would make one of two free throws after being fouled to give NU a four point lead, 54-50, with 3:25 left on the clock. C of I’s Kelly McCarty would then take over to score four straight points with a layup and a jumper to tie the score at 54-all with 1:28 left on the clock. Greg George would then sink two free throws to give NU the 56-54 lead with a minute to play and Northwest would force a C of I turnover at the 45 second mark forcing C of I to foul. Tyson Christie would sink both free throws, 58-54, Northwest. Krispin Banks would miss his challenged shot in the paint, foul and NU’s Rich Skillman would drop in both his free throws to clinch the victory for the Eagles.

 

Daley Landon led Northwest U. (21-7) with 15 points including 5 of 9 shooting from the 3-point line. 6-9 post, Greg George added 14 points and 6 assists and teammate Rich Skillman contributed 13 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals for the Eagles. NU shot 44% for the night, 56% from3-point range (10-18) and hit 89% of their free throws (16-18).

 

The College of Idaho (13-17) was led by Matt Ballenger’s game high 19 points. Center Krispin Banks added 11 points for the Yotes who shot 46% for the game, but managed only 14% shooting from beyond the 3-point line (2-14). C of I out rebounded Northwest 30-22.

 

“We played really well in spots and then dipped a little here and there,” commented Eagle head coach John Van Dyke, “but I was proud of the way our guys stuck together when C of I made that run at us and refused to give in. It’s always a challenge to beat a team three times in a season and we’re happy to come away with a win over a tough C of I team.”

 

Northwest U. plays Eastern Oregon at 7 p.m. on Saturday in LaGrande, Ore. #1 Seed Oregon Tech will host #6 Corban University on Saturday in Klamath Falls as Corban upset #3 seed Warner Pacific in quarterfinal play in Portland tonight.