Eagles Defense Helps Defeat OIT
KIRKLAND, Wash. – Northwest University held visiting Oregon Tech to 22 second half points as they posted a 71-58 Cascade Conference victory tonight. OIT managed just 23 percent shooting in the second half.
The first half was tightly contested as each team battled for the lead as it changed hands several times in the first six minutes of play. A 5-0 NU run would give the Eagles a 14-9 lead at the 14:22 mark and they would maintain the lead the remainder of the half. A Thomas Jordan steal would lead to a C.J. Carter dunk and the Eagles largest lead of twelve, 35-23, with 3:29 left in the half. OIT's Lavar Moore would score 8 of OIT's final 11 of the half and a 9-2 Owl run to cut the Northwest U lead to just three, 39-36, at the half.
Moore would lead an 8-0 Tech run to start the second half as the Owls would take a five point lead, 44-39, after three straight Moore free throws. Oregon Tech would maintain a slim lead until Nemanja Grujicic would lay the ball in to tie the score at 47-47 with 12:19 remaining in the game. It would be Northwest U's game the remainder of the way as they would extend their lead to twelve, 69-57, after a trey by Thomas Jordan and baseline lay-up by Cody Shackett with 1:35 to go in the game. OIT would have opportunities to cut into the Eagle lead in the late stages of the game, but would go cold from the free throw line hitting just 3 of 9 from the charity stripe. Cody Shackett's lay-up with 1:06 remaining would end the scoring and clinch NU's second straight CCC win.
Four Eagles scored in double figures as C.J. Carter led the way for Northwest U (15-11, 5-9 CCC) with 19 points; Nemanja Grujicic scored 16; Jordan Thomas dropped in 14 and Tomas Ogbaslassie contributed 10 points and 7 rebounds for the Eagles. NU shot 52 percent for the game.
For Oregon Tech (13-12, 6-9 CCC), Lavar Moore led the Owls with a game high 29 points and added 7 rebounds. Josh Johnson scored 9 points and grabbed 9 rebounds and Austen Flint scored 8 for OIT who shot 34 percent on the night. The Owls shot 34 percent for the night, but outrebounded Northwest U, 34-33.
"I'm very pleased with our effort these past two nights," commented John Van Dyke, Eagle head coach. "Any time you can get a win over a Dan Miles coached team is a solid one because you know OIT will always compete and come into a game well-prepared. A good week of practice and team play help us earn this victory tonight."
NU will be on the road next weekend as they take on Concordia and Warner Pacific in Portland, Ore., on Friday and Saturday.