ST. PAUL, MINN. – The University of Northwestern men's basketball team welcomed North Central University to the Ericksen Center for a Saturday afternoon conference match-up. Today's game marked UNW's 2020 Hoops Hysteria event and featured a full crowd. The first half showcased eight lead changes before UNW put together a run late in the half, carrying the momentum of a 10-point advantage to dominate the final 20 minutes. Northwestern secured an 88-55 final win to remain atop the conference standings.
 
The Eagles record their eighth straight win to improve to 14-6 overall and 10-1 in the UMAC. The Rams fall to 5-14 this season, 2-8 in league play. With the win, UNW clinches a spot in the UMAC Conference Tournament.
 
In a back-and-forth start, the Rams led for the majority of the opening eight minutes before Owen Boerema (Litchfield, Minn./Litchfield) connected on a pair of free throws to give the Eagles a 22-21 edge. On the next possession, UNW scored a quick two points on a fastbreak layup by Kyle Kaemingk (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy). The sophomore continued to do damage in the paint, scoring on a contested spin move to make it 30-25 with under six to play in the half.
 
It was Johnny Erickson (Minneapolis, Minn./Hope Academy) who drained a three with under two minutes remaining to give UNW a six-point edge (37-31). He followed it up with a quick layup from Michael Moore (Twinsburg, Ohio/Twinsburg) to increase the lead to eight, before a tip-in from Solomon Bach (Watertown, S.D./Watertown) with time expiring gave UNW a 43-33 lead at the break.
 
Northwestern continued to pull ahead in second half action, securing a 20-point (71-51) lead and forcing a North Central timeout with 7:43 remaining. The Eagles built the lead to a game-best 33 points on a three-ball from Kit Piepkorn (St. Paul, Minn./Christ's Household of Faith) to cruise to an 88-55 final win.
 
14 Eagles saw action in the contest with six scoring in double figures. Noah Alm (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake) led the way with 16 points, draining four shots from beyond the arc. Solomon Bach (Watertown, S.D./Watertown) added 15 on the day on top of seven rebounds, while Kyle Kaemingk (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) and Johnny Erickson (Minneapolis, Minn./Hope Academy) each dropped in 11.
 
Tanner Youngberg (Pocahontas, Iowa/Pocahontas Area), who was honored for becoming UNW's all-time career leading offensive rebounder prior to today's match-up, finished with 10 points, 15 boards in the win. Youngberg also dished out a team-best six assists. Owen Boerema (Litchfield, Minn./Litchfield) was the final Eagle to record double-digit scoring – adding 10 points and eight rebounds.
 
Northwestern scored 46 points in the paint to NCU's 24 and added 31 key bench points.
 
The Eagles will return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 5 when they travel to Morris, Minn. to take on the Cougars. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.
 
Follow Northwestern men's basketball online all season long at www.unweagles.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @unweagles.