KIRKLAND, Wash. – Junior Michael Greene and sophomore Michael Russo combined for 45 points as Northwest University won their fifth straight as they defeated Quest University, 81-52, tonight in a non-conference contest.

Russo hit 14 of his game high 23 points in the first half to help Northwest maintain a slim lead over the Kermodes from Squamish, B.C.  He hit 4-8 shots for 50% shooting as the Eagles would take a 37-31 lead into the locker room at the break. Quest’s Tyler Kular would match Russo with 14 points of his own hitting 4 of 5 shots, all from 3 point range and going 2 for 2 from the free throw line.

In the second half, it would be Greene scoring 14 points and going a perfect 7 for 7 from the field in 14 minutes of play. Northwest’s defense would pick up the pressure in the second half limiting Quest to 21 second half points as they would hit 9 of 24 shots. The game would remain close for the first eight minutes of the half, but with Northwest leading 50-44 and 12:43 remaining,  the Eagles would go on a 15-0 run capped off by two scores in the paint by Russo and Nemanja Grujicic and a 3 pointer by Brett Skogstad, to lead 65-44 at the 8:30 mark. A trey by Russo would grow the Eagle lead to 24, 72-48, with 5:13 left in the game as NU’s Ryan McIntosh would end the scoring with two free throws with 1:03 to go as the Eagles would improve to 11-2 on the season.

In addition to Russo’s (Sammamish, Wash.) game high 23 points, Northwest U. (11-2, 1-0 CCC) got 22 points from Michael Greene (Bellingham, Wash.). Brett Skogstad (Allyn, Wash.) and Nemanja Grujicic (Ratkovo, Serbia) each contributed 9 points for the Eagles who finished the game shooting 46%. NU held the edge in rebounding, 38-32, including 14 offensive boards.

Quest (4-2) was led by Tyler Kular who finished with a team high 17 points while Connor Heinrichs added 10 points. Quest shot 40% for the night including 43% (6-14) from beyond the 3 point line.

“We caught our stride in the second half and our defense improved and our shots started to fall,” commented John Van Dyke, NU head coach. “We’re a little thin and banged up right now, but I’m proud of the way our guys are hanging in there and battling. Our team is ending the semester on a positive note.”

Northwest U. will take a break for final exams next week and will resume league play on Mon., Dec. 17, when they host Northwest Christian and then take on Corban Univ. on Tues., Dec. 18. Both games are slated for 7:30 p.m. tip offs.