ST. PAUL, Minn. (Feb. 1, 2008) -- The Northwestern College men's basketball team didn't have too much trouble with the University of Minnesota-Morris, as the Eagles coasted to a 91-62 win on Friday night.

 

After losing 8-9 after five minutes of play, NWC went on a 12-5 run over the next eight minutes to lead 22-14 and never look back. The Eagles kept building on their lead and held a 40-23 advantage at halftime.

 

Northwestern started where they left off in the second period, again increasing their lead – this time to 27 on Steve Discher (Andover, Minn./Andover)'s (Andover, Minn./Andover) three-pointer with 10:47 to play in the half. Not too long after, Eagles head coach Tim Grosz was able to clear his bench and cruise to a 91-62 final.

 

NWC featured their best shooting night of the season thus far, making 38-of- 65 attempts for 58.5 percent. The Eagles' defense, which Coach Grosz has stressed immensely this year, proved to be too much for the Cougars, as they countered with a mere 36.1 percent from the field and 23.8 percent from downtown.

 

29 of the Eagles' 38 baskets came with assists in the game, including 15 assists on 18 baskets alone in the first half. Northwestern held a 41-30 advantage in the rebounding category.

 

Almost half of Northwestern's 91 points came in the paint, outscoring Morris 42-26 under the hoop. The Eagles also turned 16 of the Cougars' turnovers into 21 points.

 

Northwestern racked up numerous individual accolades in the game, highlighted by a pair of double-doubles by Daniel and Stephen Hanson (Plymouth, Minn./Maranatha) (Plymouth, Minn./Maranatha Christian Academy).  Daniel Hanson (Plymouth, MN/Maranatha) had 21 points and 13 rebounds, while brother Steven added 18 and 11. Mike Anderstrom (Woodbury, MN/New Life Academy) (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) and Josh Strelecki (Crystal Falls, MI/Forest Park) (Crystal Falls, Mich./Forest Park) capped off the Eagles' double-digit scorers, contributing 19 and 11 points, respectively.

 

Strelecki was one assist shy of a double-double with nine, while Dave Zuleger (Wausau, WI/Wausau West) (Wausau, Wis./Wausau), who just went over the 300 career assists plateau last weekend, had a career-high 10 assists in the game.

 

Saturday will bring a new challenge to the Ericksen Center, where the Eagles anxiously await their rematch with Presentation. The Saints, who knocked off NWC last Friday in Aberdeen, S.D. will look to take home a season sweep of the UMAC's top team in a 5 p.m. affair.

 

Tomorrow's game is also a part of Hoops Hysteria - an event that will give out two $600 scholarships to current and prospective students with the possibility of someone winning free tuition for a year.