ABERDEEN, S.D. -- Gabe Jefferson (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Southeast) (Lincoln, Neb./Southeast) was 8-14 from the floor for 18 points to return the Northwestern College men's basketball team back to the win column with a convincing 81-61 victory over Presentation College on Saturday evening.  Up by seven points at halftime, the Eagles outscored their opponents by 13 in the second half to push head coach Tim Grosz to his 200th career victory.

Northwestern's six-point advantage midway through the first period was squashed a couple times as Presentation's Javon Glassnor hit a couple big shots to tie the game at 22-22 with 6:57 to play in the initial half.  After a brief Saints lead, the Purple and Gold scored six straight points to ultimately lead 37-30 at the break.

NWC's lead increased to double digits just three minutes into the second half when Ellis Libby (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) (Bloomington, MInn./Jefferson) hit a jumper.  After Presentation's Josh Muellner cut the Eagles' edge to nine, NWC went on an 11-0 run to lead 66-46 with 9:34 to go.  Grosz's crew didn't lead by less than 15 the rest of the way before moving to 8-6 overall (2-1 UMAC) with the 20-point win.

Northwestern finished 35-58 in the game, reaching a 60 percent shooting percentage while holding the Saints to 40 percent.

Jefferson wasn't the only Eagle who had a successful shooting performance as he was joined in double figures by Brian Lecheler (Abbotsford, Wis./Abbotsford) (Abbotsford, Wis./Abbotsford) (13 points), Tom Gisler (Stewartville, Minn./Stewartville) (Stewartville, Minn./Stewartville) and Ethan Benton (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Linn-Mar) (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Lin Mar) (10 points apiece), all of whom were 4-7 or better.

NWC returns home this week, shifting its attention to Friday night when the Eagles host Northland College.  Tip-off in the Ericksen Center is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.