Strong Second Half Earns Northwest Victory
KIRKLAND, Wash. - Northwest University came back from a halftime deficit to defeat Pacific Lutheran, 70-56, to earn their first win of the season.
Trailing 33-26 at the half and held to 26% shooting (9-35), the Eagles came to life in the second half to outscore the Lutes 44-23 and heat up to 59% shooting (16-27) for the period.
After NU led early in the first half, 11-9, seven minutes into the period, PLU would go on a 13-2 run punctuated by a jumper followed by a 3 pointer by Andi Adams to take a 22-13 lead with 7:42 to go in the half. The Lutes’ Samantha Potter would increase the lead to 10, 29-19 at the 2:34 mark, but NU’s Jenna Lewis would cut the lead to 7 points, 33-26, to end the scoring with 24 seconds on the clock.
Andi Adams would continue the hot hand and would hit a trey to make it a 42-32 game with 16:38 to go in the second half, but the Eagles would go on an 11-3 run to cut the PLU lead to two, 45-43, at the 13:20 mark. Domi Mendezona would tie the game at 47-all with her driving layup (11:23) and then would give NU the lead with her 3 pointer, 50-47, which they would hold the remainder of the game. Ashley Coila would hit a jumper and Mendezona would drill another three with 1:25 to go to seal the first win of the season for Northwest.
Domi Mendezona (Issaquah, Wash.) led Northwest U. (1-7) and all scorers with 23 points. Alyssa Dario (Caldwell, Ida.) added 17 points and Corinne Burke (Lake Stevens, Wash.) score 12 points and grabbed 5 rebounds for the Eagles. NU shot 59% in the second half to erase the halftime deficit
Pacific Lutheran (0-6) was led by Andy Adams’ 20 points and 8 rebounds. Samantha Potter registered a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds for the Lutes. PLU went cold in the second half as they managed 27% shooting (9-34). The Lutes out rebounded NU 48-44.
“Win or lose, I have a great group of young ladies,” stated Lori Napier following the game. “It’s nice to see them get a reward for their hard work and effort.”
NU will break for final exams next week and resume conference play on Mon., Dec. 17 when they host Northwest Christian in the Pavilion at 5:30 p.m. and then take on Corban at home the next night, Tues., Dec. 18 at the same time.