Skip To Main Content

University of Northwestern Athletics

The Official Website of the University of Northwestern Eagles

Slideshow

Men's Basketball

Eagles stay locked in three-way tie for first place in UMAC with 80-66 win over Presentation

Box Score

ABERDEEN, S.D. (Jan. 23, 2009) – Northwestern College won its seventh game in a row on Friday to maintain its position in a three-way tie for first place in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) standings. Presentation College was the victim, as the Eagles used a strong second half to win 80-66.

After leading 39-37 at the break, NWC boosted its lead to as much as 13 within the first six minutes of the second half. Presentation cut the lead to under 10 late in the game, but the Eagles made free throws down the stretch to preserve their victory.

Northwestern claimed a huge 45-24 advantage in rebounding, which turned into 38 points in the paint and 23 second chance points. In all, the Eagles shot 49.1 percent from the field while the Saints from Presentation finished the game at 41.4 percent. Continuing with their stellar three-point defense this season, NWC held its opponents to 26.3 percent from downtown.

For the first time this season, Northwestern had five players score in double figures, including three players with 15 points. John Duren (Austin, Minn./Austin) (Austin, Minn./Austin), Steve Discher (Andover, Minn./Andover) (Andover, Minn./Andover) and Reid Berens (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) all paced Tim Grosz's squad, while Stephen Hanson (Plymouth, Minn./Maranatha) (Plymouth, Minn./Maranatha Christian Academy) and Brian Lecheler (Abbotsford, Wis./Abbotsford) (Abbotsford, Wis./Abbotsford) added 14 and 10 points, respectively.

Stephon Sese led all players with 20 points for Presentation, who falls to 5-11 overall and 2-4 in UMAC play following the loss. Michael Babcock and Richie Ward also scored 10 points apiece.

Northwestern, who improves to 13-4 overall (5-1 UMAC), will travel to Morris, Minn. on Saturday, Jan. 24, for a highly anticipated contest with the University of Minnesota, Morris, whom the Eagles currently share first place with. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Print Friendly Version