Walla Walla Secures Comeback Win Over Northwest University on Senior Night
College Place, Wash. - The Wolves completed a major comeback in the second half helping them secure a one-point win (80-79) against the Northwest University Eagles (18-11, 13-7 CCC) on senior night in their second match of the weekend. Walla Walla (7-23, 5-15 CCC) outscored the Eagles by 16 in the first eight minutes of the second half to help lead them to the victory.
The Eagles came out hot, scoring 12 points within the first four minutes of the first half, securing the lead and gaining momentum. Much like the women's game, both teams played a physical and fast-paced game. After a scoring drought for the Wolves, Michael Daley converted a bucket to close the gap to 10 points. The teams continued exchanging baskets for the remaining 13 minutes of the half, as the Eagles took a 10-point lead heading into the half.
The Wolves made a major comeback and second-half surge going from being down 10 points to being up by 6 points in the first eight-plus minutes to open the second half. The Wolves scored within the first few seconds of the second half, getting the team and the crowd fired up. The Wolves got into an offensive rythmn by playing sound defense and converting steals to help them reclaim the lead.
Northwest fought to get back in the game, cutting the deficit to two with one minute remaining. The game went down to the wire, with both teams playing physical on both sides of the ball. Yet despite all of Northwest’s efforts, they could not get back the lead they once had and went empty on multiple possessions and the Wolves took advantage of being in the double-bonus and secured the game at the free-throw line to secure the win in their last game of the season.
Northwest was led by Christian Hakilimali who put up 27 points. Walla Walla was led by KiAndre Gaddy with 24 points. Dylan Browning, playing in his last game in a Wolves uniform, contributed 13 points.
This was the last game for the Walla Walla Wolves season but the Northwest Eagles will play February 26 against Eastern Oregon in the CCC Basketball Tournament.