Box Score OLYMPIA, Wash. – A big second half run helped power Northwest University over Evergreen, 76-73, and earn the Eagles sole possession of third place in the Cascade Conference.

Trailing 40-37 at the end of the first half, Northwest would come roaring out of the gates with a 21-7 run to take a 58-47 lead after Sanda Milovic would hit a short jumper in the paint 9 minutes into the period. NU would hold Evergreen to 3 for 15 shooting from the floor during their run. NU would maintain the lead, but the Geoducks would begin to chip away and after taking a 65-55 with Kristen Frey's jumper at the 7:26 mark, Evergreen would go on a 9-0 run of their own to close the gap to 65-64 with 3:54 to go in the game. But Chanara Greene would hit a key jumper and Domi Mendezona would knock down two free throws to increase the Eagle lead to four, 69-64 with 2:22 to go. ESC's Sammi Clark would drain a 3-pointer and a jumper to tie the game at 69-all at the 1:37 mark. A big three point play by Ashley Coila and two more free throws would give NU the 74-69 lead with 37 seconds left. That would be enough as the Eagles would close out the game 76-73 with two more Mendezona free throws.

Domi Mendezona tied for game scoring honors for NU (16-8, 8-4 CCC) with 26 points hitting 7 of 16 shots (44%) and 11 of 12 free throws for an impressive 92%. Mendezona also handed out 10 assists. Sanda Milovic added 21 points and 6 rebounds and Chanara Greene added 10 points and 8 rebounds for the Eagles. NU shot 47% for the game and 86% from the free throw line while losing the rebounding battle to ESC, 37-27.

Evergreen (10-9, 6-6 CCC) was led by Sammi Clark's 26 points. Teammate Jessica Denmon added 13 points and 8 rebounds for the Geoducks who matched NU with 47% shooting. ESC managed only 67% free throw shooting, making 12 of 18 attempts.

Said Coach Ken Crawford of Northwest, "It was a real battle tonight--a tough, physical game that went all the way down to the wire.  It was a typical Evergreen State-Northwest University game."

Both teams will be on the road next weekend as they travel to Oregon to play Southern Oregon and Oregon Tech on Friday and Saturday nights.