ST. PAUL, Minn. - Northwestern hosted North Central University on Saturdays game in the Ericksen Center. This was Northwestern's eighth UMAC matchup and their second to last regular season game before the UMAC tournament starting later next week. UNW led most of the game before a late second half comeback by the Rams to tie things up and send it into overtime; the Eagles clinched the win, 85-79.
 
Before the game seniors, Johnny Erickson (Minneapolis, Minn./Hope Academy) and Jacob Martin (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi High School), were honored by the Coaches and team recognizing them for their commitment to the team and their hard work on and off the court.
 
Northwestern won the tip to start the first half. UNW's first bucket was a dish to the paint from Henry Fahnbulleh (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) for the layup by Jacob Martin (Mahtomedi, Minn./Mahtomedi High School). The Eagles played hard defense and kept the stands alive with physical plays stealing 6 balls to the Rams zero in the first half. Northwestern shot 86 percent compared to North Central's 16 percent from the free throw line.
 
Noah Alm (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake) led the team with nine points and six rebounds. Northwestern ended an electric half up 41-26.
 
The Eagles first bucket in the second half was whittled in by Henry Fahnbulleh (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove). Well into the half North Central awoke closing the gap between the Eagles and the Rams. UNW played strong till the end keeping Eagle fans on their feet.
 
Several lead changes in the last few minutes of the second half made the arena electric. Northwestern closed with nine steals and 16 points from the free throw line ending regulation, 73-73.
 
Northwestern won the tip to start overtime. Kyle Kaemingk (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) netted the first points for UNW with two free throws after a foul from the Rams. The Eagles finally gained the lead 79-78 with a bucket from the behind the arc by Henry Fahnbulleh (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove). With 34 seconds to go Northwestern was up 83-79. The Eagles walked away from a well fought game against North Central winning 85-79.
 
Henry Fahnbulleh (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove) was a dominant figure in the game scoring finishing with a double-double and his career high of 24 points along with 10 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists, and a block. Fahnbulleh scored seven of the 12 points that secured the win for the Eagles in overtime.
 
Kyle Kaemingk (Woodbury, Minn./New Life Academy) added 19 points and Noah Alm (Forest Lake, Minn./Forest Lake) netted 11. The Eagles forced 17 turnovers and capitalized on 19 second chance points to the Rams zero.
 
Northwestern extends to a 9-3 record and 5-2 in conference play. They currently sit second in conference standings and will finish regular season play Monday, March 1 (tip-off slated for 7 pm) as they head to Wisconsin-Superior before heading into the UMAC tournament later next week; date, time and rival to be determined.
 
For all things UNW men's basketball fans can follow along at www.unweagles.com or on Twitter and Instagram at @unwmbb.