NU Falls at Seattle Pacific
SEATTLE – Sam VanLoo scored 22 points, and Andie Kristinat added 18, but Northwest lost its regular-season opener at Seattle Pacific Wednesday, 87-56.
The Falcons shot 71 percent from the field in the second half, while NU cooled off after a strong first half. SPU hit 11 of 14 third-quarter field goal attempts to take over what had been a close game.
"Disappointing. The third quarter was the difference," said NU Head Coach Ken Crawford. "They shot really well, and we didn't. SPU leads its conference in rebounding, and you can see why. They are physical and are technically sound. We weren't. We've got a lot of work to do."
SPU out-rebounded the Eagles 37-27.
After Seattle Pacific got out to a 12-7 lead, NU tied the score with a three-pointer by Kristinat and a basket inside by VanLoo. VanLoo had 10 points in the first quarter but finished the period on the bench with her second foul.
Grace Hammond delivered the first NU lead with a three-pointer 13 seconds into the second quarter. SPU retook the lead before Kristinat buried a three-pointer for a 25-23 Eagle advantage.
SPU pulled back in front and led 40-34 at halftime.
The Falcons scored the first five points of the second half and built a 52-36 lead before Maya DuChesne knocked down a three-pointer at the 5:52 mark for NU's first field goal in the second half.
VanLoo was nine of 13 from the field in her 22-point effort. She had three rebounds to share team-high honors with Livi Lindsey, Shelaine Lorenz, and Caitlin Monten. VanLoo and Kim Weden had three assists each, with Weden leading the team with three steals.
Kristinat had a solid six of 10 shooting night from the three-point arc.
Now 0-1, the Eagles get back to NCAA Division I opposition with a trip to Portland State on Monday night.