Tre Simmons scored 14 points for Northwest U
Big Second Half Spells Victory for the Eagles
KIRKLAND, Wash. - The Northwest University Eagles opened up a close game in the second half for a 71-58 conference victory to break a five game losing streak tonight in the NU Pavilion. The Eagles outscored the Geoducks 44-32 in the second half to pull away for the win.
NU held on to a 27-26 lead at halftime after Evergreen would come back from a 9 point deficit with 7:26 to go in the half. Quinton Whitefield’s tip-in with 3:09 to go, would give Evergreen a 24-23 lead. Jasdeep Singh would score two straight baskets for the Eagles putting them back into the lead, 27-24, but Whitefield would score again to make it a 27-26 game. Neither team would score the remaining 1:55 of the half as NU would take the one point lead into halftime.
Northwest U would maintain a slim lead in the second half until a 7-2 run with 11:03 left in the game would put NU up 53-42 with 6:32 remaining. The Geoducks would cut the NU lead to 53-49 at the 5:07 mark, but a 12-4 Eagle run would increase their lead to 12, 65-53, with 1:33 to go in the game. NU would go 8 for 10 from the free throw line down the stretch to clinch the win.
Tre Benton led Northwest U (10-16, 4-12 CCC) with 14 points. Jasdeep Singh added 13 points and Justice Martion scored 11 for the Eagles who shot 61% in the second half and 49% for the game.
Evergreen (5-22, 4-14 CCC) was led by Pat Ling and Ryan Quigley who tied for game high honors with 18 points each. Quigley added 10 rebounds for a double-double. The Geoducks managed to shoot 36% and went 0 for 12 from the 3-point line tonight.
“Our seniors got it done for us tonight,” said NU coach, Jeff Drinkwine. “It was a great overall effort by everyone. We’re happy to come away with a well earned win.”