KIRKLAND – Northwest celebrated Senior Night by clinching a playoff berth with a 79-70 win Tuesday over Evergreen State College.
 
"It was a great home game tonight with a great atmosphere," said NU Head Coach Ken Crawford. "I have to give a shout-out to Shelaine Lorenz and Grace Meza. They came off the bench and gave us a great contribution. It feels good to clinch a playoff spot but we've got a quick turnaround this week with a trip to Walla Walla."
 
The Eagles trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half and were down 37-28 at the half.
 
Northwest came out firing in the third quarter and tied the game 47-47 on a three-point play by Maya DuChesne with 3:15 left in the period. Meza hit a three-pointer to deliver the first Eagle lead of the night 30 seconds later, 50-47. NU took a 57-53 lead into the third quarter.
 
Evergreen State got the lead down to a single point on three occasions in the fourth quarter but the Eagles got answers from DuChesne and Lexi Biggerstaff.
 
Clinging to a 65-63 lead, Northwest went on a 9-0 run that included two three-pointers by Meza and one by Athena Taylor for a 74-63 lead with 2:50 to play. The Geoducks got no closer than the eight-point final margin from there.
 
Livi Lindsey led the Eagles with 16 points, followed by Meza with 15. Meza was 5-6 from three-point range. DuChesne had 13 points and Sam Van Loo added 12. Biggerstaff had six assists in the game.
 
Anna Cook paced ESC with 23 points while Jerri Maluyo had a double-double with 11 points and 10 assists.
 
NU honored seniors Deja Andrades, Jackie Bento and Lexi Biggerstaff after their final home game.
 
Northwest wraps up the regular season with two games at Walla Walla next weekend, taking on the Wolves at 1 p.m., Friday, and 7:30 p.m., Saturday.
 
The Eagles begin the postseason on the road Tuesday, but the destination depends on the outcome of games this weekend.