ASHLAND, Wis. – After a heartbreaking loss in the final seconds on Saturday, it was important for the University of Northwestern Men's Basketball team to get back in the win column. Considering Northwestern's next opponent was 0-17 (0-6 UMAC) Northland College, it appeared its chances of doing so were pretty good. Northland was able to hang around for well over half of Wednesday night's contest thanks to a tremendous three-point shooting performance, but big games from
Japheth Nyamari (Anoka, Minn./Anoka),
Elijah Burns (Grand Prairie, Texas/Roseville Area) and
AJ Greene (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) propelled the Eagles to an 85-66 win, putting them at 10-8 overall and 5-2 in the UMAC.
After
Soren Anderson (Perham, Minn./Perham) made a quick layup to open the scoring, it appeared there were lids put on each basket, as both teams struggled to score in the opening minutes. After UNW subbed in its three freshman reserves, things began to pick up for the Eagles, as
Noah Frazell (Waverly, Iowa/Waverly-Shell Rock) and
Caden Stevens (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Mountain Vista) each made layups, and Nyamari a three-pointer to make it 9-0. The LumberJacks were able to find their footing, exploding for a 10-1 run to tie the game at 10.
Noah Deedrick (Rochester, Minn./Century) broke the tie with a three as the teams began to go back-and-forth with the scoring picking up. Jumpers by Greene and Nyamari gave Northwestern a 17-13 edge, but Northland was soon able to even the score at 19. After a Nyamari jumper to regain the lead, UNW scored on its next four possessions (all from Burns and Greene) to stretch the lead to 29-21.
Burns continued to assert himself inside with a layup with 4:19 remaining in the first half, which was followed on consecutive trips by a Nyamari three, a tough Greene layup, and a Nyamari runner in transition. The 9-0 spurt put the Eagles ahead by double digits for the first time, 38-24. The Jacks were able to break up the scoring barrage with a three-pointer with 2:10 left, but Northwestern answered right back, as Greene banked a shot in off the glass and blocked a shot on the other end, which eventually led to a Burns layup following one of the senior's six offensive rebounds on the night. At the half, UNW led 42-30 and had some clear momentum on its side.
That momentum continued into the second half, as Burns and Greene scored the first four points to extend the Eagles' lead to 16. Northland wasn't ready to go down on its home court without a fight; however, as a 12-3 run trimmed its deficit to just seven points at 49-42. That seemed to wake Northwestern up, as a Nyamari triple and a Frazell driving layup on back-to-back trips made the score 54-42 with 12:48 to play. Another Greene jumper off the window and a pair of Anderson free throws got the lead back to 15, and after three consecutive LumberJack points, UNW really turned it on, scoring on seven straight possessions. Nyamari scored nine points in the 17-6 run that made up that stretch, including two three-pointers and three free throws after he was fouled behind the arc. Burns scored four points in the surge, while Greene and Anderson each had two. Nyamari added five more points for good measure, giving him 31 for the night. The Jacks scored seven straight as both teams emptied their benches, but Northwestern got the last word as
Owen Bernatz (Hastings, Minn./Hastings) made his first career field goal (a corner three) to make the final score 85-66.
Nyamari's 31 points marked the third time this season that the junior has eclipsed 30 points, and the second time in as many games. He made all five of his free throw attempts and went 6-11 from deep. Greene put up 17 points, adding six rebounds and three steals. Burns tied his career-high of 16 points and logged 11 rebounds (six offensive) and four steals. This marks the senior's second career double-double (both this season). Anderson made everything he shot (2-2 FG, 4-4 FT) on his way to eight points and two assists, while Deedrick tallied three steals.
Lewis Wolbert (Milaca, Minn./Milaca) dished out a team-high three assists.
The Eagles will look to avenge one of their two conference losses so far this season on Saturday when they host Martin Luther. Not only will UNW be celebrating Alumni Day, but it will also serve as the team's Coaches vs. Cancer game, where Head Coach
Tim Grosz will be wearing sneakers on the sideline to promote cancer screening. If you can't make it to the Ericksen Center for the 3:00 PM tip, tune in on the Eagle Sports Network, an affiliate of the UMAC Sports Network.
