ETBU (0-1) built an 11-point second-half lead on the D-I Demons, but Northwestern – the preseason favorite to repeat as SLC champions – rallied in the final five minutes to pull out the win.
The Tigers had Northwestern on the ropes for much of the game after taking the lead late in the first half on the way to a 40-33 advantage at the break. The lead ballooned to as much as 11 halfway through the second half, and ETBU did not give up the lead again until the 4:27 mark on a tip-in basket by NSU’s Byron Allen.
The Tigers came back to take a 3-point lead, 73-70, with 2:30 to go on a layup by Cedric Isom. But Northwestern would then outscore the Tigers 7-1 down the stretch to escape with the win.
Cedric Isom, ETBU’s preseason All-American, led all scorers with 28 points and also had 8 assists. Melvin Allen, making his return after a year-long absence due to injury, finished with 22 points and a team-high 8 rebounds, and Chris Isom chipped in 17 points and 6 boards.
Northwestern was led by Clifton Lee’s 18 points and 8 rebounds, while Allen added 15 points and 7 boards.
ETBU shot 47.3 percent from the field during the game, including 6-of-14 3-pointers. Northwestern countered with a 51.7 field-goal percentage, and the Demons connected on only 2-of-7 3-point attempts.
ETBU hosts LSU-Shreveport in the Tigers’ home opener Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in Ornelas Gym. ETBU will then open American Southwest Conference play on Saturday, Nov. 26, against Schreiner in Ornelas Gym.