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Men's Basketball

Russo's 29 Leads NU Over Lutes

Michael Russo hit 82% of his shots tonight for 29 points
Box Score KIRKLAND, Wash. – Riding on a 29 point performance by junior Michael Russo, Northwest University defeated Pacific Lutheran 78-71, in non-conference play tonight.
 
Russo hit 81% of his shots tonight, including 5 for 7 shooting from the 3-point line (71%), while also grabbing 8 rebounds for the Eagles. With the win Northwest improves to 5-2 on the season while PLU suffered their first loss (2-1).
 
Northwest would maintain a slim lead the entire half until the 5:46 mark when PLU would go on a 7-0 run to tie the score on two free throws by the Lutes' Arvid Isaksen. Kevin McCrossin hit a 3-pointer and got into the paint for a layin for the other points in the run. NU would answer back with a Michael Greene lay-up in the paint and a 3-pointer by Tommy Jordan from the top of the key. Greene would hit one of two free throws to put the Eagles up 32-26 with 4:11 to go. Kai Hoyt would cut the NU lead to three, 34-31, with his driving lay-up but Russo would answer with two of his 29. Hoyt would hit a jumper with 56 seconds to go in the half as the Eagles would take a 36-33 lead into the locker room.
 
The Lutes would start the half on the attack and outscore Northwest 11-4 to take a 47-40 lead at the 15:45 mark.  But, the Eagles would come right back with a three by Russo, a score in the paint by Greene and a steal by Cody Shackett and lay-up to tie the game at 47-47. Ryan McIntosh would hit a trey from the corner to give NU a 50-47 lead, but PLU's Seth Anderson would hit a three to knot the score at 50-all. Northwest would go on a 7-2 run to take the lead for good as Greene would get to the rim for two. C.J. Carter's 3-pointer would give NU a 67-59 lead and moments later a McIntosh layin would increase the Eagles lead to 9, 69-60, as NU would close out the game from the free throw line.
 
Also contributing for NU was Nemanja Grujicic with his double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds. Guard Tommy Jordan scored 10 points and handed out a game high 6 assists while only committing one turnover. Northwest Shot 47% for the game, 48% from beyond the 3-point arc.
 
PLU was led by Terrell Williams' 15 points. Kevin McCrossin added 13 points as he hit 3 of 5 three-pointers. Arvid Isaksen dropped in 12 points and had 8 rebounds for the Lutes who shot 39% for the night, but 47% from the 3-point line. Rebounding was even at 37 boards for each team.

"I was pleased the way out team responded when PLU made their run in the second half to take the lead," commented NU coach, John Van Dyke. "We could have folded, but our guys refused to give in and battled back to regain the lead which showed character. We're taking small steps, but improving with each game. Still a few things to work out, but the team comes to practice every day to get better."
 
Northwest will remain home and will host No. 22 Cal Maritime (6-0) on Saturday at 5 p.m.
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