KIRKLAND, WA - The Eagles returned from Christmas break to face a tough Division III team in the Linfield Wildcats. Unfortunately, Northwest fell short, 82-73. 

Northwest got out to a quick lead by jumping on a 7-2 run to start the game. Then, Linfield began to find its rhythm and was able to take the lead. The Eagles hung with the Wildcats through the majority of the first half, but Linfield was able to go on a 18-4 run to go into halftime. 

The Eagles had a tough road ahead of them beginning the second half down by 15. While NU was able to get within three with 6:58 left, Linfield pulled away and made critical shots at the right time to not give up the lead for the remainder of the game.

"We dug ourselves a hole tonight and were down 21 early in the second half, but our guys showed a lot of resilience to get back into the game," said Head Coach Rick Skeen. "Playing without Lewis, Milt, and now Manuel is a lot for us to overcome, but we will have to find a way to win with who we have."

The Eagles had four players in double digits, with Dominic Wilson leading the way with 18. Caleb Whalen brought home 13, O'Shae Barquet tallied 11, and Trent Williams had 10. Luke Howard secured 11 rebounds. 

NU heads to Salem, Oregon, to face Corban on Friday, January 5.