Tyler Mendezona, one of six Eagles in double figures tonight.
Eagles Hit Century Mark in Win Over Pacific
KIRKLAND, Wash. – Northwest University broke the century mark for the second time this season and six players scored in double figures as they defeated Pacific University (Ore.), 101-74, in a non-conference contest tonight.
Northwest U. jumped out to an early 12-3 lead and would never trail the entire game. Pacific would close to within two, 12-10 after a 7-0 run, but the Eagles would go on a 12-3 run of their own to increase their lead to 24-13 with 9:35 to go in the first half. NU hit four 3-point baskets in the first 10 minutes of the game. Northwest U.’s lead would grow to 17 points (32-15) after junior Ahmaad Cook dropped in two free throws at the 8:05 mark. A layup by freshman Michael Greene and two more free throws by Tyson Christie would give the Eagles a 20 point lead, 45-25, with 3:21 to go in the half. NU’s Daley Landon would drain a trey to make it, 50-27 with 1:47 to go and Pacific’s Zach Barckmann would end the scoring with 4 seconds left as he tipped in a missed shot by teammate Phil Stanford. 50-29 Northwest as the buzzer would sound.
In the second half, Pacific would refuse to go away easily as they would out score the No. 11 Eagles 15-7 to start the period capped off by a 3-pointer by Adam McElwee and two layups by Carson Bartlett to make it 57-44 with 14:27 to go. NU would then go on a 10-0 run after an Ahmaad Cook 3-pointer and a Christie layup to get the lead back up to 23, 67-44, at the 12:27 mark. The Eagles would keep Pacific at a comfortable distance the remainder of the game as they would register their 11th win of the season.
Northwest U.’s (11-2, 3-1 CCC) senior guard Daley Landon (Waterville, Wash.) led all scorers with 22 points including 60% shooting from beyond the 3-point arc (6 for 10). Junior Ahmaad Cook (Los Angeles, Calif.) added 13 points and 5 assists; Tyson Christie (Sr., Sherwood, Ore.) 12 points, 6 assists; Greg Peters (Sr., Belmont, St. Vincent) 12 points, 9 rebounds and 3 blocks, junior Tyler Mendezona (Issaquah, Wash.) 11 points and 6-9 senior Greg George (Seattle, Wash.) finished with 10 points. Junior Jordan Call had a game high 8 assists. NU had the edge on rebounding, 41 31 and shot 60% for the game (33-55), 70% in the second half..
Pacific (2-8, 1-1 CCC) leading scorer was Carson Bartlett who finished with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Sophomore Adam McElwee (Woodinville, Wash.) contributed 14 points and shot 50% from the 3-point line (4-8). Andrew Beatty (Lynnwood, Wash.) added 12 points and LeMar Anglin dropped in 11 points for the Boxers from Forest Grove, Ore. Pacific hit 38% of their shots, 35% from 3-point range and made 73% of their free throws (11-15).
"We asked our guys very simply to share the ball, play hard and as a team and they did just that, stated NU head coach, John Van Dyke. "We had 25 assists and had six of our players in double figures which shows we shared the ball. It was a good way to head into the holidays."
Northwest will now take a break for the holidays and resume play on Dec. 30 when they travel to Olympia, Wash. for a 5:30 p.m. conference game with the Evergreen State College.