Box Score
Northland (4-12, 2-4 UMAC) started the game off very flat. The team only shot 29% during the first half and early fouls and turnovers gave Bethany Lutheran (3-13, 3-3 UMAC) the large lead. The Jacks turned the ball over 14 times in the half and were only able to produce two steals. The Vikings took a 42-15 lead into the intermission.
Two minutes into the second half
Joey Brennan (Jr./ Ashland, Wis.) scored his first of twenty-five second half points. Brennan was able to hit two threes and make nine free throws in the half to lead the Jacks back from the huge defecit. The Vikings turned the ball over sixteen times in the second half in large part to the Jacks' press defense. Brennan had four steals, while Lance Bressette (So./ Bayfield, Wis.) added three more.
With 14:27 left in the game Bethany Lutheran had regained their largest lead of 27.
Zach Fahrenkrug (Fr./ Menasha, Wis.) hit a three pointer to start the comeback. After two made free throws from Brennan with 6:07 left, Northland had cut the lead to 10. Brennan then made two straight jumpers to put the game at 52-46.
The Vikings starting point guard Tommy Saffert, who played every minute of the game, hit a three pointer to put the lead back at nine and take a little life out of the crowd. But Brennan found a wide open look off a screen and answered with a three of his own. After a missed Saffert three point attempt, Brennan went to the line. He was able to cut the lead down to four.
After a Viking basket,
Ryan Cannata (Sr./ Nashwauk, Minn.) hit two free throws to put it back at four. The teams traded baskets before Brennan was able to make a layup and draw a foul. The free throw capped off the three point play and put the score at 58-57 with 1:37 left. The teams each missed a few shots, setting up the game winning attempt.
The Jacks came out of a timeout with 00:27 left. Brennan took the ball across mid court and dribbled out the clock. With ten seconds left he drove to the hoop off of a screen. Just before the shot was taken, a whistle away from the ball nailed Northland with an offensive foul and ended the Jacks chance.