McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Northwest battled back from 16 points down to get within 69-67 late in the second half but lost at Linfield Sunday, 78-71.

"Linfield jumped on us fast. It took us a long time to adjust," said NU Head Coach Jeff Drinkwine. "They are a veteran group, and they run their stuff well. We knew it was going to be tough if we played their pace. They did a great job taking away our strengths."

The Wildcats built a 24-8 lead by the midpoint of the first half. NU chipped away and got to within 36-30 on a Cesar Sandoval layup with 1:33 left in the opening frame. Linfield led 38-30 at the half.

Northwest trailed by 13 with 10:03 remaining in the game and methodically whittled away at that deficit.

Hussayn Ford and Sandoval scored inside to cut the lead to 66-58 with 7:00 showing on the clock. Tanner Davis got a steal, and Ford scored on the other end to reduce the disadvantage to six points.

Dejwan Walker answered an LC three-pointer with one of his own, and the Eagles got a stop and a quick layup by Walker, with Christian Hakilimali getting the defensive rebound and the assist to trim the lead to 69-65 with 3:37 to go.

Another NU stop and defensive rebound and pass by Hakilimali led to a Ford basket to make it a 69-67 game with 3:25 left.

Linfield was able to answer every challenge from there, however, and held the Eagles at bay.

Walker led the Eagles in scoring with 18 points, and Ford helped the Eagles with 15 points and 16 rebounds, stretching his double-double streak to eight games. It was his highest rebound production since getting 18 against the College of Idaho last January.

Sandoval also had 16 points, and Hakilimali added 13 and seven assists. Sandoval just missed an off-the-bench double-double, getting nine rebounds.

"It's early, and we are still finding our way," Drinkwine said. "With a short turnaround, before our next one, we will get back in the lab and make some adjustments."

Northwest struggled from behind the arc, hitting six of 24 shots for 25 percent despite a 4-of-8 outing by Walker. 

Ford had a block and three steals for four defensive stops.

The 4-1 Eagles return to action with a three-game trip to Montana, starting with an exhibition Thursday at Montana State-Billings at 7 p.m.