NU's Michael Dupree's 30 points today gives him 61 in the past two games
Eagles Drop Heartbreaker to MSU Billings
SEATTLE, Wash. - Michael Dupree's driving lay-in rimmed out as the buzzer sounded giving Montana State Billings a narrow, 85-83, non-league victory in NU's final game at the Oak Harbor Freight Lines Classic this afternoon. The NAIA Eagles gave the NCAA Division II Yellowjackets all they could handle.
Dupree had hit two critical free throws with 8 seconds remaining to pull the Eagles to within one, 84-83. NU then fouled MSU's Jordan Perry with 7 seconds to go in the game. Perry made the first shot, but missed the second with Zach Smith rebounding and out letting the ball to Dupree who dribbled the length of the court for the possible tying score. The ball just rolled off the rim as the buzzer sounded.
Ben Tucakovic hit a free throw with 1:40 left in the first half to make it a four point MSU lead, 35-33, as neither team would score the remainder of the period as the Yellowjackets would hold the lead at the half.
Montana State would lead 42-36 three minutes into the second half, but the Eagles would streak to a 12-0 run capped off by a Dak Shagren lay-in and 3-pointer at 15:30. NU would maintain a slim lead until the Yellowjackets' Preston Beverly would hit a baseline 3-pointer to put MSU into the lead, 64-60, with 7 minutes left. The lead would change hands 12 times in the half as the two teams would trade baskets in the final three minutes of the game.
Michael Dupree scored a game high 30 points for Northwest U (5-8), giving him 61 for two games. Dak Shagren scored 18 and Ben Tucakovic scored 17 points and added 7 rebounds. NU shot 55 percent in the second half and 45 percent for the game. The Eagles dropped in 11 of 20 3-pointers for 55 percent.
MSU Billings (4-6) was led by 6-7 freshman Preston Beverly who scored 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Junior Jace Anderson added 20 and Christian Evans scored 12 points for the Yellowjackets who finished the game with a 50 percent shooting average.
"For the second straight night I felt our team gave a strong effort, but just came up short," stated John Van Dyke. "It was a tough shot to make at the end for Michael (Dupree), but he gave us another solid effort today. Our team is slowly regaining its health and improving with every game as we approach our conference openers next weekend."
NU opens Cascade Conference play on Saturday, Dec. 19 when they host Oregon Tech. It will be the final game at NU for OIT head coach, Danny Miles, who will be honored in a pre-game ceremony.