Jumping out to a 26-13 lead midway through the first half, Martin Luther seemed to have control of the game. The Eagles found the rims to be unfriendly in the first half as they shot just 34.4 % from the field, including just 28.6% from beyond the arc. Not ready to be eliminated from the title chase, Northwestern put together a solid 13-2 run just before the half as the Eagles headed into the locker room trailing 35-31 at the midway point.
Staying within four points through the start of the second half, the Eagles took the lead 44-43 at the 15 minute mark. Continuing to trade baskets over the next stretch, Martin Luther took gained a one-point advantage at 55-54 with ten minutes remaining. Northwestern quickly regained the lead on a three-point field goal by Steve Discher (Andover, Minn.) as both teams remained in a very even battle. With the score tied 63-63 with 4:47 remaining, Discher hit another three-point field goal after a Martin Luther free throw to give the Eagles a two-point advantage.
A three-pointer by the Knights with 1:36 remaining tied the game again at 70-70, but Northwestern junior Josh Strelecki (Crystal Falls, Mich.) answered with a three-pointer of his own and two free throws by Daniel Hanson (Plymouth, Minn./Maranatha Academy) provided the Eagles with a 75-70 win.
Hanson led all scores with 27 points, which marked a new career best. His 12 rebounds accounted for his tenth double-double performance of the season. Discher added 18 points on 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc. Strelecki contributed 15 points. Jake Schwartz (Waterloo, Wis.) and Nathan Nass (New Ulm, Minn.) led the Knights with 16 points each.
Northwestern College will complete their regular season schedule on Tuesday as they travel to Crown College (Minn.) on Tuesday, February 20 for a 7:30 pm tip-off. The Eagles will be the #1 seed in the UMAC post-season tournament and host the No. 4 seeded Martin Luther College Knights on Friday, February 23 at 7:30 pm.
Northwestern College vs Martin Luther Knights 02/17/07 5:00 pm at New Ulm, MN At New Ulm, MN NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE 75, MARTIN LUTHER KNIGHTS 70 NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE (19-5, 11-2 UMAC) Hanson, Daniel 10-16 5-7 27; Discher, Steve 7-18 0-0 18; Strelecki, Josh 6-13 0-0 15; Zuleger, Dave 2-7 0-0 5; Berens, Reid 2-4 0-0 4; Anderstrom, Mike 1-3 2-2 4; Gonsior, Chris 1-2 0-0 2; Krehbiel, Josh 0-0 0-0 0; Lecheler, James 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 29-64 7-9 75. MARTIN LUTHER KNIGHTS (11-13, 8-5 UMAC) Jake Schwartz 6-14 0-0 16; Nathan Nass 7-19 1-2 16; Caleb Kurbis 5-11 0-0 12; Caleb Free 3-6 2-2 9; Keith Schleis 3-6 3-4 9; Jeff Dolan 2-6 0-0 5; Brian Gephart 1-2 1-2 3; Aaron Schultz 0-0 0-0 0; Ryan Kolander 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 27-64 7-10 70. Northwestern College.......... 31 44 - 75 Martin Luther Knights......... 35 35 - 70 3-point goals-Northwestern College 10-27 (Discher, Steve 4-8; Strelecki, Josh 3-9; Hanson, Daniel 2-6; Zuleger, Dave 1-3; Lecheler, James 0-1), Martin Luther Knights 9-22 (Jake Schwartz 4-8; Caleb Kurbis 2-5; Caleb Free 1-2; Jeff Dolan 1-4; Nathan Nass 1-3). Fouled out--Northwestern College-None, Martin Luther Knights-None. Rebounds-Northwestern College 38 (Hanson, Daniel 12), Martin Luther Knights 37 (Caleb Kurbis 8). Assists-Northwestern College 15 (Zuleger, Dave 6), Martin Luther Knights 17 (Jeff Dolan 5). Total fouls-Northwestern College 11, Martin Luther Knights 13. A-528