KIRKLAND – Northwest kept pace with postseason-bound Oregon Tech for three quarters but couldn't match the Owls in the final frame, falling 86-69 on Saturday.
 
OIT held the Eagles to eight points in the final quarter.
 
"Three great quarters of basketball, but one, not so great," said NU Head Coach Ken Crawford. "And that's the story of the game. Was exciting and close, but a tough fourth quarter got us. Now it comes down to playing Evergreen State as we vie for a playoff position."
 
The Eagles and Evergreen are tied for the eighth and final berth with five games to play.
 
Kyrin Baklund hit nine of 10 free throw attempts and led NU with 19 points. Esther Pappuleas came off of the bench to score 16 and Maya DuChesne added 14 points and six assists. Kylie Lunday led with eight rebounds.
 
Maddyson Tull led OIT with 16 points and 12 rebounds with Gabbie Gascon getting 16 points as well, to go with four steals. Jenna Wallace added 13 and Olivia Sprague scored 11.
 
The Eagles meet Evergreen State in Kirkland at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.