KIRKLAND – Northwest held off Whitworth for a 69-64 win in the Northwest Classic Friday in a game that neither team ever had a comfortable lead.
 
NU led for much of the game but never by more than seven points, despite strong performances. 
 
Kyrin Baklund led with 21 points, and Kylie Lunday added a dozen points and 16 rebounds. Maria Arroyo Sanchez came up with 11 points, and Grace Harder posted nine rebounds to go with her six points. 
 
"It was an interesting game to play and to coach," said NU Head Coach Ken Crawford. "We felt like we were in control the entire game, but you look up and we're only ahead by four points. There were no great offensive runs tonight. I was really pleased with our perseverance and our depth. Our dynamic has changed, inserting Kylie, and we're adjusting to that."
 
NU led for most of the first quarter, but the Pirates finished the period on a 4-0 run to take a 16-14 lead into the second quarter.
 
It looked as though Whitworth would take a three-point lead into the lockers at halftime, but the Pirates fouled Maya DuChesne on her desperation shot. The captain connected on all three free throws to deadlock the game at 33-33.
 
NU started the second half on an 8-2 run with Lunday getting six points—all after NU offensive rebounds. 
 
WU was able to tie the game with eight seconds to go in the third quarter, but Baklund drove into the lane and hit a buzzer-beating layup for a 52-50 lead.
 
The Pirates cut the lead to two points on a few occasions in the fourth quarter, but the Eagles withstood the challenge.
 
Now 2-1 on the season, the Eagles take on Providence at 5 p.m. on Saturday.