MANKATO, Minn. – Cody Sprenger (Grey Eagle, Minn./Long Prairie-Grey Eagle) connected on six 3-pointers and finished with a game-high 20 points as the University of Northwestern men's basketball team defeated Bethany Lutheran College (4-9, 2-3) 84-66 Friday night. The Eagles improve to 10-2 overall and 4-1 in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play. 

UNW got off to a hot start right out of the gates, as the Eagles went on a 14-2 run midway through the first half and took a 39-22 lead into the locker room. Sprenger – who played all 20 minutes in the opening frame – knocked down 5-of-6 from long range to finish the first half with 15 points. Northwestern shot a blistering 52.4 percent from downtown to build a 17-point halftime lead.

The Eagles kept their foot on the gas in the second half and never looked back, coming away with an 84-66 victory. Michael Carney (Ames, Iowa/Des Moines Christian) (15), Porter Morrell (Elk River, Minn./Home School) (11) and Clay Elrod (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) (10) all eclipsed double figures for the Eagles. Carney finished 5-of-10 from the 3-point land. Porter Morrell (Elk River, Minn./Home School) dished out a game-high six assists, while Aaron Youngberg (Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas Area) contributed with four helpers.

Northwestern finished the night shooting 49.3 percent from the floor and 48.6 percent from beyond the arc, while Bethany Lutheran finished just over 41 percent from the floor and from long range.

UNW will travel to New Ulm tomorrow for a 3 p.m. contest at Martin Luther College. Fans can find links to follow the contest live at www.unweagles.com.