Northwest University’s Michael Dupree and Ben Tucakovic combined for 38 points as the Eagles pulled away for a 78-66 victory over Walla Walla on Saturday in Cascade Conference play. Dupree and Tucakovic each scored 19 points with 27 of their 38 coming in the second half.

The teams would battle back and forth in the second half with the lead changing eight times. Walla Walla would take a 61-59 lead at 7:08, but a three-pointer by NU’s Daniel Ghebremichael would spark a 10-0 Eagle run capped off by four free throws—two by Ghebremichael and two by Dak Shagren to put NU into the lead for good, 69-61. The NU defense would hold Walla Walla scoreless for seven minutes as they would go six for six from the free throw line in the final minute for the victory.

In addition to the 38 points by Dupree and Tucakovic, Northwest U (11-17, 7-11 CCC) got 17 points and five rebounds from Zach Smith and nine points and five rebounds from Ghebremichael. Dak Shagren, needing just 11 points to break the 1,000 career point mark, was held to just six points on 2-13 shooting. But, Shagren led the way with a game high eight assists.