Box Score
ST. PAUL. (Feb. 25, 2008) – Continuing their dominance in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) not only this season, but in years past, the Northwestern College men's basketball team claimed their fifth consecutive conference championship with an 81-71 win over Bethany Lutheran College on Friday night.
The Eagles (16-7, 11-1 UMAC), who now have won the UMAC title seven out of the last eight years, held Bethany Lutheran, the league's current second place team, to 39.2 percent shooting from the field and a 29.0 rate from behind the 3-point line.
Holding a 39-34 lead at halftime, the Eagles went off to start the second period as they extended the lead to 15 at 64-49 with 10:35 remaining. The Vikings were able to cut the lead to eight several times within the final five minutes, but wouldn't get any closer as NWC finished with an 81-71 final advantage.
Northwestern was able to shoot an even 30-for-60 (50.0 percent) in the game while making 7 of their 17 attempts from downtown. The Eagles stayed true to their strong suites in the game, which include rebounding. NWC out-rebounded Bethany 44-35.
Head coach
Tim Grosz's crew owned a 36-26 margin in points in the paint while Northwestern received 19 points from its bench.
It was Grosz's most consistent contributors that once again paced Northwestern, as seniors
Mike Anderstrom (Woodbury, MN/New Life Academy) (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) and
Daniel Hanson (Plymouth, MN/Maranatha) (Plymouth, Minn./Maranatha Christian Academy) both recorded double-doubles. Anderstrom was 8-of-12 from the field for 24 points, adding 14 rebounds in the win. Hanson added 18 points on 7-for-14 shooting to go with 11 boards. Hanson is closing in on Northwestern's all-time rebounds record, as he needs 18 more to eclipse Dan Westin's current record of 900.
Steve Discher (Andover, Minn./Andover) (Andover, Minn./Andover) had nine points in the game, while an ill
Stephen Hanson (Plymouth, Minn./Maranatha) (Plymouth, Minn./Maranatha Christian Academy) tallied seven points and nine rebounds.
James Lecheler (Abbotsford, WI/Abbotsford) (Abbotsford, Wis./Abbotsford) and
Josh Strelecki (Crystal Falls, MI/Forest Park) (Crystal Falls, Mich./Forest Park) each dished out five assists in the game, combining for a 10-to-3 assist-to-turnover ratio.
Bethany Lutheran (10-13, 8-4 UMAC) had three players score in double figures, led by Andy Wills' 20 points. Travis Priem added 17 points and 10 rebounds in the Vikings' loss.
With the win, Northwestern will officially mark down the UMAC's postseason tournament next Friday and Saturday as a home event, as the Ericksen Center play host to conference's top four teams. NWC could host both the men's and women's tournaments if the Eagle women's squad maintains their current position at the top of the UMAC.
Although they've won the conference title, Northwestern will play host to UMAC foe Martin Luther College on Saturday in St. Paul. With a two-point win over Crown on Friday, the Knights are locked in a three-way tie for third place in the UMAC, and will push hard for a win. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
