Eagles Gut Out Win over Eastern Oregon
KIRKLAND – Their third game of the week and an injury-laden bench took its toll, but the Eagles of Northwest gutted out a 72-68 win over Eastern Oregon Saturday.
Northwest used only seven players and got 19 minutes from the bench.
“We’ve had some really tired legs out there and it showed in our offensive execution,” said NU Head Coach Jeff Drinkwine. “But we found a way to win tonight. I was really proud of our team’s defense. Eastern Oregon is the No. 1 scoring team in the nation and we held them 30 points under their average. It was great to see our guys believe in each other and play for each other.”
The Eagles led by 17 points with 3:26 to go in the first half as Hussayn Ford scored inside. Northwest led 45-31 at the half.
Eastern Oregon made eight of its first 10 shots to start the second half and eroded the Eagles’ lead to 58-56 with 11:22 to play.
From there, the Mountaineers made it a one-possession game on four different occasions, but each time the Eagles found an answer.
Ford led the Eagles with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Christian Hakilimali and Dejwan Walker had 12 each and Tanner Davis and Ryan Ricks contributed 11 apiece.
Jarek Schetzle and Landon Jones had double-doubles for EOU. Schetzle had 21 points and 13 rebounds and Jones added 16 points and 11 rebounds.
NU’s limited bench outscored that of the Mountaineers 8-2.
Eastern Oregon fell to 9-8 overall and 3-5 in the Cascade Collegiate Conference. Northwest improved to 11-5 overall and 6-1 in the league.
NU heads to Portland next weekend, taking on Warner Pacific Friday and Multnomah Saturday in a pair of 7:30 p.m. tips.