Winona Lake, IN — In the second game of the NCCAA National Tournament, the University of Northwestern couldn't hold back Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) in a 66-39 loss Thursday afternoon. Struggling to keep up with SAGU's offense, the Eagles fell to an overwhelming decifit in the second half.

The Eagles made a quick six point run as Jacki Smith (Shoreview, Minn./Concordia Academy) put the first basket in for the day, followed by an infamous Smith block. Chanel Madson (Westbrook, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) added to the early Eagle momentum draining her first three with a time of 16:52, putting the squad at a 9-2 advantage. For the next six minutes, the Purple and Gold remained scoreless, allowing the Lions to make a 13 point run. Madson broke the dry spell with another three, leaving the Eagles at a 15-12 deficit. Jacki Smith (Shoreview, Minn./Concordia Academy) made a trey of her own with nine minutes on the clock in the first half. SAGU continued to fight back, adding seven more points to the mix leading 22-15 over the Eagles at the 6:32 mark. Stubbs, attempting to keep Northwestern moving, charged into the paint with a good layup, but SAGU was not letting them back in the game easily as the Lions held a 27-17 lead. Down by ten with one minute to go, Jessica Cole (Altoona, Iowa/Southeast Polk) made a steal and fast break towards the Eagles hoop, but her layup wasn't enough as the Lions responded with another layup with the following possession. With a halftime score of 31-21, the Eagles ended shooting 29 percent in the field and 14.3 of threes.

Tiffany Stubbs (Ames, Iowa/Des Moines Christian) opened the half with a shot from downtown. Smith pulled a block out of her toolbox, but an Eagle turnover just seconds later led to a SAGU jumper, putting the Lions back at a 11 point advantage, and two additional baskets kept the Eagles momentum at a halt. Kim Campbell (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) helped Northwestern get back on track with a pair of points behind the stripe, but with the score of 42-26, the Purple and Gold was visibly struggling with the overwhelming deficit.  Madson helped their offensive front with a shot from downtown as the score remained at 47-31 with just under 12 minutes on the board. From here on out the 16 point disadvantage only grew, as SAGU racked on eight more points. With just under the four minute mark, Regan Cooper (Pella, Iowa/Pella) added a pair of bonus points from behind the line, as SAGU led 59-36. The Lions' Taylor Hill responded with a three immediately after, but Jessica Cole (Altoona, Iowa/Southeast Polk) mimicked her with a shot from behind the arc just moments later.

Northwestern ended the game with 23 turnovers, as SAGU scored 26 of their points off those errors. UNW shot 23.6 percent from the field, paired with a low 17.6 percent from behind the arc. Southern Assemblies of God shot 38.5 percent of FGs along with 34.8 of threes. Chanel Madson (Westbrook, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) led the Eagles in points with 11, with Tiffany Stubbs (Ames, Iowa/Des Moines Christian) (9) and Jacki Smith (Shoreview, Minn./Concordia Academy) (8) behind her. Smith added 10 boards, two points shy of a double-double. Typically strong behind the three point line, Northwestern ended the day 6 for 34. 

Northwestern (18-12) will play the loser of the Grace College and Southern Wesleyan University game tomorrow at 3 p.m. ET for their last contest of the 2014-2015 season.