ST. PAUL – Instant classic may be the best way to describe Saturday's Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Tournament Championship between the University of Northwestern and the College of St. Scholastica. The two teams put on a historic show in front of a sold-out Ericksen Center, as the two foes needed quadruple overtime to decide a winner. UNW prevailed, 112-108, to take home its seventh-straight UMAC Tournament title.

The game – which turned out to be a back-and-forth, see-saw shootout – didn't start the way it finished. UNW took control right from the opening tip and built a margin as large as 21 points with 5:59 to play in the first half before taking a 42-28 advantage into the locker room.

The Saints would then turn up the offense and use a 50-point second half to force overtime. It wasn't until the 6:06 mark in the second half that CSS pulled within single digits, but they continued to chip away and got a layup from Julius Johnson with three seconds remaining in regulation to even the score at 78-78.

Both teams struggled offensively in the first two overtime sessions, scoring just five points apiece in both frames. The third overtime was played at a faster pace and saw both squads tally 12 points. The Eagles used back-to-back buckets from Peter Maring (Harris, Minn./Cambridge Christian) to start the fourth overtime and build a lead they wouldn't relinquish, sealing the game 112-108.

It was once again UNW's veteran lineup that made the difference, as all five seniors reached double figures. Will Gisler (Stewartville, Minn./Stewartville) and Cody Sprenger (Grey Eagle, Minn./Long Prairie-Grey Eagle) led the way with their season-high 26 points apiece. Peter Maring (Harris, Minn./Cambridge Christian) had another monster game, securing a double-double with 23 points and 19 rebounds. Porter Morrell (Elk River, Minn./Home School) poured in 20 points, while Aaron Youngberg (Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas Area) contributed 14 points and eight rebounds.

Cody Sprenger (Grey Eagle, Minn./Long Prairie-Grey Eagle) was honored for his outstanding play, as he was named the UMAC Tournament's Most Valuable Player.

UNW shot 54.5 percent from the floor and 42.1 percent from long range. The Eagles struggled at the line, going just 20-of-37. CSS finished 39.4 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from beyond the arc.

The Eagles will find out their NCAA Tournament fate Monday during the NCAA Division III selection show at 11:30 a.m. Updates can be found at www.unweagles.com or by following @unwmbb on Twitter.

Notes
It was the first time in program history a contest has reached four overtimes.
It is the ninth time the Eagles have reached the 20-win plateau under the direction of head coach Tim Grosz.