ST. PAUL, MINN. – The University of Northwestern men's basketball team came up short in a highly contested home opener contest against Dubuque University [2-0 overall] Friday evening inside the Ericksen Center. The hard-fought game was won by the Spartans, who snuck away with an 82-78 win over the Eagles.

UD started off hot, producing a 20-5 lead five minutes into the game. UNW bounced back quickly, going on a 9-0 run to narrow the gap, 20-14, with just under 13:00 to go on the half.

The Spartans continued in their strong offensive surge, allowing them to hold a confident 42-35 lead at the intermission break. 

On the half, Northwestern shot 39.4% [13-for-33] from the field, while Dubuque went 47.1% [16-for-34] from the floor.

The Eagles came out of the locker room ready to battle, as they clawed their way back into the game all throughout the second half. With two minutes left in regulation, UNW trailed UD by only four points [75-71]. Northwestern then came within two in the final three seconds of the contest but was unable to lock down the win, dropping the non-conference game 82-78 to Dubuque.

Northwestern finished 26-for-64 from the floor [40.6 %], sank 7-of-18 from long range, and netted 19-of-29 free throws. As a team, the Eagles also recorded an impressive 17 assists, snatched two steals, and totaled 34 rebounds [10 OFF, 24 DEF].

Brady Bellefeuille (Frazee, Minn./Frazee) had the hot hands of the night, as he led the team offensively with 16 points. The junior forward went 7-for-9 from the field and 2-for-3 from the charity stripe. He also topped off the evening battle with six defensive rebounds and one assist, respectively.

Tanner Youngberg (Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas Area) [14pts], Caleb Hageman (Charles City, Iowa/Charles City) [14pts], and Jacob Gervais (Cottage Grove, Minn./Homeschool) [12pts] put together strong performances as they all ended the night in double figures. Youngberg also added six rebounds [3 OFF, 3 DEF] and two assists to his stat line, while Hageman and Gervais each added three rebounds to theirs. UNW's Colton Simmer (Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie) and Taylor Slagter (Roseland, Minn./CMCS) also poured in eight points apiece, respectively.

Northwestern will host Nebraska Wesleyan tomorrow, November 18, in its final day of the ACR Homes Tip-off Tourney. Game time is set for 5 p.m. inside the Ericksen Center. Fans can find more information on the men's basketball team by following @unwmbb on Twitter and by visiting www.unweagles.com.