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Al Schuck

Men's Basketball

Men's Hoops shuts down Martin Luther, 79-61

Box Score

ST. PAUL (Jan. 9, 2009) – Northwestern College won a highly-anticipated matchup with Martin Luther College on Friday night, as both teams resumed their UMAC schedules in the Ericksen Center. The Eagles shot 52.9 percent en route to a 79-61 win over the Knights, who hadn't played a game since Dec. 13.

As expected, the game was tight early on. After a 10-10 tie five minutes into the contest, Northwestern went on an 8-0 run to take an 18-10 lead. The Eagles increased their early advantage throughout the first half, building as much as a 17-point edge with just over six minutes to play in the initial period. A three-pointer by NWC's Mike Schramm (Roseville, Minn./Mounds View) (Roseville, Minn./Mounds View) gave head coach Tim Grosz's squad a 43-30 lead heading into the locker room.

Martin Luther chipped into the Eagles' lead midway through the second period, cutting the advantage to eight points at one time. But Northwestern stormed right back, extending their edge to 20 points before a jumper by MLC's Benjamin Leibl wrapped up the final score at 79-61.

After shooting 48.1 percent in the first half, Martin Luther was unable to keep up in the second period, finishing at 41.7 percent for the game. Northwestern, who entered the game as the nation's 22nd-best three-point defending team, was able to shut down Martin Luther's 23rd-ranked three-point shooting squad, as the Knights finished 0-of-11 from downtown.

The Eagles once again relied on defense and rebounding as the backbone of their efforts, and it showed. NWC owned a 38-34 edge on the boards while committing four less turnovers than their opponents and turning Martin Luther's 15 mistakes into 18 points.

Four Northwestern players scored in double figures, including Stephen Hanson (Plymouth, Minn./Maranatha), who paced the Eagles with 18 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. Reid Berens (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial) added 17 points, while Brian Lecheler (Abbotsford, Wis./Abbotsford) quietly chipped in 16 points. Both Berens and Lecheler finished 6 of 9 from the floor, respectively. John Duren (Austin, Minn./Austin) (Austin, Minn./Austin), who rallied NWC last Saturday in a comeback victory over Gordon College, scored 10 points, all of which came in the first half.

Martin Luther (6-6 overall, 2-1 UMAC) was led by Brian Gephart, who posted a double-double of his own with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Greg Holzhueter added 14 points in the loss.

Northwestern, who has won three straight games, improves to 9-4 overall and 2-1 in UMAC play. The Eagles will have another tough opponent on Saturday, as Bethany Lutheran College comes to the Ericksen Center for what is expected to be an intense battle. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m.
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