Box Score

ST. PAUL, Minn. (Dec. 29, 2007) – Everyone in attendance at Saturday's men's basketball game between Northwestern College and Macalester College received all the drama they paid for - and then some – as the Scots left the Ericksen Center with an 83-82 victory. After Daniel Hanson (Plymouth, MN/Maranatha)'s (Plymouth, Minn./Maranatha Christian Academy) 3-pointer gave Northwestern a one-point advantage with five seconds to go, Macalester's Abe Woldeslassie made two free throws with one second on the clock to steal the win for the Scots.

After a 41-41 tie at halftime, Macalester jumped out to an eight point lead at 68-60, prompting NWC to switch to a zone defense. The switch helped, as the Eagles brought themselves back into the game, tying the score at 73-73 with 4:49 to play. After a made 3-pointer by Paul Richie gave the Scots a four-point lead at 81-77, Stephen Hanson (Plymouth, Minn./Maranatha) (Plymouth, Minn./Maranatha Christian Academy) brought Northwestern within two on a lay-up at :36. Daniel Hanson (Plymouth, MN/Maranatha)'s successful 3-pointer came with eight seconds on the clock before a foul-turned-two successful free throws handed Macalester the one-point victory.

Northwestern was just under 50 percent for the game, going 36-of-73 from the field. It was a different story from behind the arc though, as the Eagles made only five of their 20 3-point shots (25.0 percent). Macalester finished with a 41.1 percent shooting mark. The Scots threw up 33 three's in the game, making 11 of them.

48 of NWC's points came in the paint.

The Eagles out-rebounded Macalester 44-40, but NWC struggled on the boards against a team that came into the game averaging 30 rebounds per contest.

Four Northwestern players hit double figures in scoring, led by Stephen Hanson (Plymouth, Minn./Maranatha), who had 20 points. Both Daniel Hanson (Plymouth, MN/Maranatha) and Mike Anderstrom (Woodbury, MN/New Life Academy) (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) posted double-doubles in the game. Hanson had 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Anderstrom tallied 12 points and 12 boards.

Woldeslassie gave Northwestern troubles all day, as the quick point guard dashed in and out of the lane to finish with a team-high 24 points. Woldeslassie made his mark from behind the 3-point line as well, going 4-of-10.

Tom Conboy, Macalester's main scoring threat, finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Keeley Colin added 14 and 10, respectively.

Mac's victory (5-3, 3-0 MIAC) snapped a three-game win streak that Northwestern held over the Scots, dating back to 2004. The loss was Northwestern's (6-4, 1-0 UMAC) second in a row, as the Eagles fell to Luther on the road on Dec. 15. Tim Grosz and his Eagle squad will be happy to shut the door on 2007, as they take to the hard wood again on Jan. 2, 2008 at Hamline. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. in St. Paul.