GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Northwest came up just short, losing for the second time this season in a down-to-the-wire game, falling Friday 70-65 to Montana State-Northern.

The Lights are ranked 19th in NAIA Division I.

Northwest kept pace the entire game but found itself down 66-59 with 1:37 remaining. The Eagles got big defensive stops but still trailed 66-61 with under a minute to play.

Dejwan Walker scored inside with 41 and seconds remaining. It appeared the Eagles had made yet another stop when Hussayn Ford blocked a shot, but MSU-N kept possession and scored to break a two-minute scoring drought for a 68-63 lead.

"Every game has been close," said NU Head Coach Jeff Drinkwine. "Tonight, a blocked shot ended up in the wrong hands. Last night, we didn't close out on a rebound. We have to grow up in a hurry and do the little things right, so that these games don't come down to the last minute. But everybody is playing hard, so you have to like that."

Christian Hakilimali led the Eagles with 18 points and four assists, while Ricks and Walker added 11 each. Ford had a team-leading 10 rebounds to go with his nine points.

The 4-2 Eagles return to action Saturday, taking on Providence at 5 p.m. Pacific time.