ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern Men's Basketball team rang in the new year with an exciting, fast-paced, non-conference tilt with Macalester College Tuesday night in the Ericksen Center. Although not the final non-conference game of the year, it was the final tune-up for the Eagles before the remainder of the conference season kicks into gear. After a thrilling, back-and-forth first half, Macalester pulled away to win, 90-72, thanks to a barrage of three-pointers.
The Scots began the game much like they finished it, opening up an 18-8 lead. Northwestern got two three-pointers from
Jeremiah LaVelle (Otsego, Minn./Maranatha Christian Academy) in that stretch, who made his first career start Tuesday. Over the next five minutes, UNW found its groove, thanks in large part to its large junior reserve.
Andrew Koehler (Scandia, Minn./Chisago Lakes) checked in and converted a jump hook shortly after a
Japheth Nyamari (Anoka, Minn./Anoka) layup to trim Macalester's lead to six. A
Micah Pocernich (Cromwell, Minn./Cromwell-Wright) three (assisted by Koehler) brought the Eagles within three, and then Koehler went berserk, scoring eight consecutive points in the paint to highlight a 13-0 Northwestern run. The big man achieved his first career double-double before the first half had concluded with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Macalester was finally able to answer the Koehler onslaught with a 4-0 run to pill within one, but the Eagles continued to punish the Scots down low, this time via
Henry Fahnbulleh (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove). The senior scored UNW's next eight points to give his team a three-point edge, which LaVelle stretched to six with his third trey of the night. A Nyamari three followed by a
Caleb Hoilien (Minneapolis, Minn./Hope Academy) jumper gave Northwestern its largest lead they would have in the contest at 39-30, but Macalester responded with a 10-0 run to take the lead. At the end of the entertaining opening half, the Scots led, 43-41.
The first ten minutes of the second half featured more of the same, as the teams continued to trade baskets. A LaVelle layup and a Nyamari three put Northwestern in front, 46-45, but the Scots scored the next five points to go back up by four. Pocernich drilled another three to cut the lead to one at 50-49, but that is the closest UNW would get for the remainder of the game. Fahnbulleh did all he could to keep the Eagles above water, scoring the next 13 Northwestern points, but Macalester continued to fill it up, and its lead ballooned from 70-62 to 85-62 in the blink of an eye. LaVelle and
Parker Behne (Elk River, Minn./Elk River) each scored five points in the final 2:31, but Macalester would make the trek back down Snelling Avenue with a 90-72 win in tow.
The Eagles played a solid game, making 40.9% of their threes on 22 attempts and out-rebounding the Scots, 35-30, but Macalester shot an astounding 19-38 from behind the arc that proved to be the deciding factor. Individually, Fahnbulleh topped all UNW scorers with 21 points, along with four rebounds in just 21 minutes. LaVelle chipped in 16 points, while Koehler finished with 10 points, 13 boards (eight offensive) and three assists off the bench. Pocernich played well, contributing eight points and five assists, while Nyamari added eight points and four rebounds.
The fun really begins now for Northwestern, who will take its 7-5 record into the meat of the conference season Saturday and host North Central for its UMAC home opener. The Eagles are currently winless in UMAC play after falling to Martin Luther and Bethany Lutheran in the conference's opening weekend in early December. Tip-off for the men's game is scheduled for 2:45 PM inside the Ericksen Center, after the conclusion of the women's game. Both games will be streamed live on the Eagle Sports Network.
