KIRKLAND, Wash. – Led by Michael Greene’s 28 point, 11 rebound performance, Northwest University held off a second half rally by visiting Corban University tonight as they defeated the Beacons, 62-54, to post their 13th win of the season.

No. 21 Northwest U. would break out to a 26-9 lead in the first 11 minutes and lead the entire first half taking a 13 point, 35-22 lead at the half. 

The Eagles would then go cold to start the second half hitting one of eight attempts in the first four minutes of the period. With NU leading 39-25 (16:48), Corban would slowly creep back into the game and go on a 10-0 run to cut Northwest’s lead to four, 38-35, with 12:39 left on the clock. Michael Greene would stop the run with his offensive tip in at the 12:14 mark, but Corban’s Josiah Sebens would hit a trey to make it 41-39 with 11:59 remaining in the game. Ryan Dornik would drain a three and Brett Skogstad would hit a 16 footer to get NU’s lead back up 9, 47-38, at the 10 minute mark. Michael Russo’s 3 pointer with 6:38 to go in the game would grow the NU lead to 52-42. Corban would pull to within 6 points twice with pressure defense, but Jeremy Paull’s two free throws with 7 seconds would end the scoring and clinch the 13th win for the Eagles.

Greene, a junior, (Bellingham Wash.) had the game high 28 points and 11 rebounds to lead No. 21 Northwest (13-2, 3-0 CCC) for the double-double. Michael Russo (Sammamish, Wash.) added 11 points and 7 rebounds for the Eagles who shot 39% for the night. NU out rebounded Corban 48-31 and grabbed 17 offensive rebounds to help their cause. NU managed only 23% from the 3 point line hitting only 7 of 30 attempts for the game.

Corban (4-7, 1-3 CCC) was led by Josiah Seben’s 13 points while Cyrus Ward would come off the bench to score 9 points and grab 5 rebounds for the Warriors. Marcus Butler contributed 8 points for Corban as they shot 34% for the game, 25% from the 3 point line (6 for 24). The Warriors hit 77% of their free throws going 10 for 13 from the charity stripe.

"We may have been a little leg weary from last night, but I'm proud of our team for battling and holding off Corban's comeback attempt," stated John Van Dyke, NU head coach. "When your shots aren't falling, you have to grind it out, dig down and do all the little things on offense and defense to earn a win. The guys did that tonight. Michael Greene stepped up big for us."

NU will now travel and play the College of Idaho in Caldwell, Ida., on Dec. 21 and then take on No. 2 Eastern Oregon in LaGrande on Dec. 22, before taking a break for the holidays. Corban travels to Eugene, Ore., on Dec. 22 to take on their travel partner, Northwest Christian, in more CCC play.