KIRKLAND – Northwest adjusted to Multnomah's tough inside game with great ball movement and 13 steals Friday in a 79-69 win.
 
The Eagles forced 20 turnovers and finished the game with 28 assists.
 
Down early, 6-2, NU rolled off a 16-2 run, fueled by six points from Sam Van Loo. Northwest took a 20-13 lead into the second quarter.
 
The Eagles led by as many as 18 points in the second quarter but went on a scoring drought for the final 3:38 of the half and had a 42-33 lead at intermission.
 
Northwest had an 18-point lead on three occasions in the third quarter, but MU again used a late rally to bring the deficit down to 11.
 
The Eagles answered every threat in the fourth quarter for the win.
 
"We were a little Jekyll and Hyde tonight, and we've got to be more consistent. It was good to get a win tonight while we learn," said NU Head Coach Ken Crawford. "Sam Van Loo, I thought, did a great job against (6-6 shot-blocker) Erykah Campbell. She's tough to play against."
 
Van Loo led the Eagles with 16 points, followed by Lexi Biggerstaff and Livi Lindsey with 13 each. Maya DuChesne had 10 assists and five steals to lead those categories.
 
Rachelle Tau scored 29 off the bench to lead the Lions.
 
Now 8-16 overall and 6-8 in the Cascade Collegiate Conference, Northwest hosts Warner Pacific at 5:30 p.m., Saturday.