GREAT FALLS, Mont. – Northwest fell behind early and dropped a 74-46 decision to Montana State-Northern Friday.

Sam Van Loo and Lexi Biggerstaff led the Eagles with nine points each, with Ellesse FitzGerald chipping in with eight. 

Kylie Olson led NU with five rebounds, while Biggerstaff paced the team with three assists and two steals.

"One of the toughest lessons to learn and one of the hardest to teach is mental and physical toughness," said NU Head Coach Ken Crawford. "It's something that we continue to work on, and we saw evidence of how important that is today when we played a very strong and physical team from Montana Northern."

The Eagles trailed 24-10 after the first quarter and 46-20 at the half.

"We played a good second half but need to play that way all the time," said Crawford. "The good news is that we get another opportunity to improve tomorrow at noon when we take on the University of Providence."

That contest starts at 11 a.m. (Pacific) Saturday.