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B Tucakovic MBB
Al Kawashima

Men's Basketball

Eagles Pull Away for Victory Over Wolves

Tucakovic and teammate Michael Dupree each scored 19 tonight
Box Score COLLEGE PLACE, Wash. – Northwest University's Michael Dupree and Ben Tucakovic combined for 38 points as the Eagles pulled away for a 78-66 victory over Walla Walla tonight in Cascade Conference play. Dupree and Tucakovic each scored 19 points with 27 of their 38 coming in the second half.

Northwest used 48 percent shooting in the first half (14-29) to help give them a slim, 34-30 lead at the half while holding the host Wolves to 32 percent. The first half was tightly contested with 8 ties and 6 lead changes as the teams exchanged baskets. With WWU leading 30-28 with 2:08 left in the half, Zach Smith and Jessie Norton would hit big 3-point baskets for the Eagles giving them the four point lead at hafltime.

The teams would battle back and forth in the second half with the lead changing 8 times. Walla Walla would take a 61-59 lead at 7:08, but a 3-pointer by NU's Daniel Ghebremichael would spark a 10-0 Eagle run capped off by four free throws—two by Ghebremichael and two by Dak Shagren to put NU into the lead for good, 69-61. The NU defense would hold Walla Walla scoreless for seven minutes as they would go six for six from the free throw line in the final minute for the victory.

In addition to the 38 points by Dupree and Tucakovic, Northwest U (11-17, 7-11 CCC) got 17 points and 5 rebounds from Zach Smith and 9 points and 5 rebounds from Ghebremichael. Dak Shagren, needing just 11 points to break the 1,000 career point mark, was held to just 6 points on 2 of 13 shooting. But, Shagren led the way with a game high 8 assists.

Walla Walla (3-22, 1-16 CCC) was led by Chad Torkelsen's 23 points. Ryan Spady scored 13 points, grabbing 7 rebounds and Ethan Osias scored 12 for the Wolves who shot 39 percent for the game. WWU was out rebounded by Northwest U, 42-38.

"It was a hard fought victory over an improved Walla Walla team," commented NU head coach, John Van Dyke. "We were prepared for a battle tonight and our guys came through late in the game hitting key shots and making important stops on defense to earn the win."

NU will return to Kirkland and host Multnomah University and Warner Pacific College in their final regular season home games on Friday and Saturday.
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Players Mentioned

Daniel GHEBREMICHAEL

#10 Daniel GHEBREMICHAEL

G
5' 11"
Redshirt Freshman
Dak Shagren

#21 Dak Shagren

G
6' 3"
Junior
Michael Dupree

#11 Michael Dupree

G
6' 1"
Junior
Ben Tucakovic

#20 Ben Tucakovic

P
6' 7"
Junior
Zach Smith

#30 Zach Smith

P
6' 5"
Senior
Jessie Norton

#25 Jessie Norton

G
6' 3"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Daniel GHEBREMICHAEL

#10 Daniel GHEBREMICHAEL

5' 11"
Redshirt Freshman
G
Dak Shagren

#21 Dak Shagren

6' 3"
Junior
G
Michael Dupree

#11 Michael Dupree

6' 1"
Junior
G
Ben Tucakovic

#20 Ben Tucakovic

6' 7"
Junior
P
Zach Smith

#30 Zach Smith

6' 5"
Senior
P
Jessie Norton

#25 Jessie Norton

6' 3"
Freshman
G