Eagles Cruise Past Linfield, Improve to 8-0
KIRKLAND, Wash. – Northwest University jumped out a 44-22 halftime lead and never looked back as they defeated Linfield College 83-63, to win their 8th straight game and improve their season mark to 8-0.
Jason Waltman would hit a 3-pointer at the 9:53 mark in the first half as Northwest would break out to a 21-8 lead. With 4:45 remaining in the half, Jordan Call’s jumper would lead an Eagle 6-3 run which would put NU up 36-17 as Rich Skillman and Tyler Mendezona would each hit 3-point shots. Michael Greene would score the final four points of the half on a layup and jumper as Northwest would take a 44-22 lead into the locker room.
Northwest U. would score the first six points of the half as the Eagles would increase their lead to 28 points, 50-22 as the clock reached the 18 minute mark. A Jordan Call jumper and Ahmaad Cook 3-pointer would swell NU’s lead to 31 points (55-24) with 16:24 to go in the game. NU’s largest lead of the game would come at the 8:52 mark as Jordan Call’s 3-pointer would make it a 35 points spread, 70-35. Coach John Van Dyke would then clear the Eagle bench as the starters would end their evening. With 2:32 to go in the game, Linfield would close the distance as Josh Rodrigues would hit a 3-pointer to make it 79-57. Tim Logan would hit another 3-pointer with 1:27 to go to make it a 21 point ball game and Josh Rodrigues’ free throw with 13 seconds left would end the scoring for the game.
Northwest U. (8-0) was led by senior Jordan Call who finished with 16 points and shot 60% for the game. Tyler Mendezona came off the bench to score 11 points while three Eagles each contributed 9 points: Rich Skillman, Jason Waltman, and Cody Shackett. Waltman just missed a double-double as he grabbed 11 rebounds for the night. Eleven of the twelve Eagle players scored in the game as NU shot 46% on the night, 52% in the second half; 40% from the 3-point line, 50% in the second half. NU dominated the rebounding category with a 50-27 margin including 22 offensive rebounds.
Zach Anderson led Linfield (1-3) with 22 points hitting 8 of 20 shots in 36 minutes of play. Josh Rodrigues scored 12 points for the Wildcats who shot 39% from 2-point range and 45.5% from the 3-point line. Linfield only managed 53% shooting from the free throw line hitting 9 of 17 shots.
“It was nice to see a great week of practice yield positive results on the court tonight,” commented NU head coach, John Van Dyke. “We came out strong tonight and our core group did a nice job on defense holding Linfield to 22 points in the first half. Our 22 assists also shows our guys are playing unselfishly, looking for their teammates. We also set a goal for 18 offensive rebounds and we exceeded that mark with 22 tonight.”
Northwest will now head to Bellingham to play Western Washington in an exhibition match-up at 7 p.m. on Saturday night.