CALDWELL, Idaho – A spate of third-quarter turnovers put Northwest in a 10-point hole that the Eagles never completely overcame in a 69-61 loss at College of Idaho Saturday. 
 
The Eagles led 15-10 at the end of the first quarter and led by as many as seven points in the second frame before the Yotes rallied and sent the game to halftime in a 33-33 deadlock.
 
Northwest scored the first basket of the second half but committed five turnovers in the first five minutes of the third quarter, allowing CI to build a 48-38 lead at the 4:50 mark.
 
Grace Meza scored eight points in the final two minutes of the quarter and got the Eagles within two points with 45 seconds left. The Yotes added a three-pointer by Emily Harwood to take a 55-50 lead into the final quarter.
 
Three-pointers by Ellesse FitzGerald and Maya DuChesne got the Eagles within three points on two occasions in the fourth quarter, but CI had an answer to each rally. A pair of Sam Van Loo free throws with 52 seconds left made it a 65-61 game, but Harwood again solved the problem for the hosts with a three-pointer with 26 seconds left.
 
NU came up empty on two three-point attempts in the final 17 seconds.
 
"Tonight's game was almost a carbon copy of last night's game: play well, slip behind, come back, and get within striking distance, but we're not able to finish the job," said NU Head Coach Ken Crawford. "Those are tough learning situations, but learning is what we're doing. We're looking forward to seeing everyone at home for senior night on Tuesday against Evergreen State!"
 
Van Loo led the Eagles with 17 points and 13 rebounds. FitzGerald added 13, followed by DuChesne with 12 and Meza with 10.
 
Harwood led CI with 15 points.
 
Now 8-19 overall and 6-11 in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, the Eagles turn their attention to Senior Night, Tuesday, when they host Evergreen State in the home finale. Northwest can clinch the final CCC playoff berth with a win in that game or a sweep in the final weekend at Walla Walla.