MANKATO, Minn. – The University of Northwestern men's basketball team put together a comeback for the ages, but it wasn't enough, as the Eagles came up just short to top-seeded Bethany Lutheran Saturday afternoon, falling 96-90 inside the BLC North Gym. The Eagles end their season 14-13.

Bethany built a 44-29 halftime lead before it was Northwestern showing why they have earned a spot in eight straight championship games.

The Eagles – who trailed by as many as 24 in the second half (11:18 mark), wouldn't go away, continuing to show their grit, erasing a 20-point deficit with 6:15 remaining to pull within three (86-82) at the 2:02 mark thanks to a Caleb Hageman (Charles City, Iowa/Charles City) layup. BLC knocked down a three on its ensuing possession and made its free throws down the stretch to take the title game, 96-90.

Caleb Hageman (Charles City, Iowa/Charles City) drilled a season-high six 3-pointers en route to finishing with a game-high 26 points. Isaiah Rahier (Northome, Minn./Northome) – playing in his final game – singlehandedly carried the Eagles during a stretch late in the second half and finished with 21 points. Tanner Youngberg (Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas Area) was also outstanding, muscling his way to 21 points and seven rebounds. Rahier also dished out five assists.

Both squads shot lights out, as the Eagles finished 52.3 percent from the floor and 56 percent from long range, while BLC hit 61.4 percent of its shots from the field and 50 percent from 3-point land. UNW shot 64.9 percent in the second half, including 81.8 percent from deep (9-for-11).

UNW will say goodbye to a pair of seniors – Isaiah Rahier (Northome, Minn./Northome) and Josh Bagley (Ackley, Iowa/AGWSR) – who were both instrumental in another outstanding season for the men's basketball program.

Fans can find updates throughout the offseason by following @unwmbb on Twitter and visiting unweagles.com.