ST. PAUL – The University of Northwestern men's basketball team shot better than 40 percent from the floor and long range en route to cruising to a 78-45 non-conference win over Trinity Bible College (3-10) Tuesday night inside the Ericksen Center. The Eagles better their record to 12-4 on the year.

Northwestern held a 36-18 advantage at the half and exploded for 42 second-half points to seal the victory. The Eagles – who gave up their lowest point total of the season Tuesday – held the Lions to a 29.2 shooting percentage. 

Porter Morrell (Elk River, Minn./Home School), who was named the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Player of the Week Monday, stayed hot, leading a group of four Eagles in double figures with his 17 points. He finished 6-of-9 from the floor, with two of those being 3-pointers. Will Gisler (Stewartville, Minn./Stewartville) followed with 14 points, while Cody Sprenger (Grey Eagle, Minn./Long Prairie-Grey Eagle) and Clay Elrod (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) added 13 and 10, respectively. Peter Maring (Harris, Minn./Cambridge Christian) and Gisler each grabbed eight boards.

UNW got 32 points off its bench and scored 18 points off of 14 Trinity Bible turnovers. 

The Eagles will return to UMAC play Friday at the College of St. Scholastica. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. in Duluth.