News Release

ST. PAUL, Minn. — With a 78-75 non-conference victory at home over Viterbo University on Tuesday night, the 2005-2006 Northwestern College men’s basketball team became the first squad in Eagle history to begin a season with 5 straight wins. Now owning an undefeated 5-0 record this winter, Northwestern surpassed the previous best showing of 4-1 established by the 1982-1983 squad. The V-Hawks dropped to 1-5 overall on the year with the loss. The Eagles have topped Viterbo in 5 of their last 6 head-to-head battles, improving to 23-14 all-time against the V-Hawks.

Northwestern created some space early, putting themselves in front 13-4 just 4 minutes into the non-conference clash. The Eagles led by as much as 11 points in the first half before Viterbo strung together a 19-8 run to tie the game at 25-25 with 7:30 remaining in the period. The rest of the first twenty minutes of play featured a back-and-forth dual as the half featured 6 lead changes and 3 ties. Northwestern owned just a slim 1-point advantage at 41-40 heading into the locker room at the midway point.

Both teams found their shooting touch early as Viterbo sank 16-of-33 (48.5%) from the floor in the first half and Northwestern connected on 16-of-36 (44.4%) from the field, including 7-of-13 (53.8%) from three-point range. Viterbo sharp-shooter Greg Kumlien (Osceola, Wis.) made 4-of-5 from long range and owned 12 points, while Eagle standout Josh Strelecki (Crystal Falls, Mich./Forest Park HS) swished 3-of-4 from behind the arc and contributed 11 points.

The second half began very similar to the first as Northwestern built a 10-point lead at 51-41 just 4 minutes into the half. The V-Hawks continued to chip away and took over the lead at 56-54 with 12:37 remaining on the game clock. Over the next 7 minutes, the Eagles edged back in front of Viterbo by as much at 6 points, only to see the V-Hawks tie the game once again at 70 with 2:30 left in the affair. In the winding minutes of the contest, Northwestern senior all-conference performer Joseph Sir (Cresco, Iowa/Crestwood HS) took over the game, accounting for the Eagles’ last 8 points in sealing the 78-75 triumph. Sir made 2 key field goals and added 4 free throws in the final 2 minutes.

Joseph Sir may wish the Eagles would schedule Viterbo more often as he poured in a game-high 24 points on the night, after recording 29 points last season against the V-Hawks and 17 points in his sophomore campaign. Joseph connected on 7-of-9 from the floor, 4-of-4 from three-point range, and 6-of-7 from the free throw line, capping off a near perfect night with 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Josh Strelecki added 16 points, while Daniel Hanson (Plymouth, Minn./Maranatha Academy) and Andrew Cramer (Alma, Wis./Lincoln HS) each contributed 10 points. Cramer continues to provide a spark off the bench for Northwestern. The Eagles shot a sizzling 56.0% (14-of-25) from three-point range and made 29-of-66 (43.9%) from the floor.

Viterbo University’s box score was highlighted by junior Jeremy Fradette (Soldiers Grove, Wis.), who chipped in 18 points on 8-of-16 shooting, and also grabbed 11 rebounds in an impressive double-double performance. Justin Kirking (Sparta, Wis.) tallied 17 points and 7 rebounds along with 3 assists. The V-Hawks posted a scorching 50.0% (30-of-60) field goal percentage on the night, also hitting 10-of-21 (47.6%) from long range.

Northwestern College will hit the road again on Friday, facing Principia College at 4 p.m. in Elgin, Illinois. The game is part of the two-day Judson College Tournament.