ST. PAUL, MINN. - The University of Northwestern men's basketball team hosted the University of Dubuque Spartans in a Saturday evening non-conference tilt. Rookie forward Solomon Bach (Watertown, S.D./Watertown) went 10-of-16 from the field and pulled down nine boards to lead the Eagles offensively. Another night of balanced scoring (four players in double-figures) helped boost UNW to an 87-69 final win.
 
The Eagles fell to the Spartans in both previous meetings, but with tonight's win – Northwestern improves to 7-6 on the year, while the American Rivers Conference foe moves to 7-2 this season.
 
Bach put together the first eight points for Northwestern, including two shots from beyond the arc and a jump shot. Dubuque would come back to tie the game at the 15 minute mark, scoring five unanswered points before Northwestern would go on an eight-point run of their own. Tied up at 18 with ten minutes left, UNW would gradually break away, ending the half up by 15 (49-34).
 
Tanner Youngberg (Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas Area) was first to score in second half action – and would score a quick six of UNW's first eight points. The Spartans didn't surrender, cutting the lead to single digits (8) on a jumper with 7:13 remaining in the contest. The Eagles would quickly regain control, solidified by a three-pointer from Kyle Kaemingk (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) with just over four minutes on the clock. Northwestern would drain seven of eight free throw attempts in the final minute to secure the win.
 
Solomon Bach (Watertown, S.D./Watertown) finished with a career-best 23 points and nine rebounds. Noah Alm (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake) added 17 points, while Kyle Kaemingk (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) tacked on 15 points and five rebounds.
 
The Eagles will return to action on January 8 when they host Northland for a conference double-header beginning with the men at 5:30 p.m. and women's action to follow.

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