Ben Miller scored a team-high 15 points and converted 3-of-4 free throws in the final 30 seconds as seventh-seeded Northwestern defeated 10th-seeded Mount Marty 67-64 in the first round of the GPAC men's basketball tournament. The Red Raiders move on with a 15-14 record while Mount Marty finishes its season with a 7-23 record.
Northwestern fell behind early and trailed by as much as eight in the first half, 30-22. They battled to within three after a lay-up by Mike Vorwald (30-27) and trailed by four at the half. The Red Raiders shot an impressive 57% in the first half compared to 50% for Mount Marty.
The Lancers pushed their lead to six (42-36) but Northwestern pulled ahead with a 7-0 run, capped by a lay-up by Ryan Hoogeveen. The teams exchanged the lead several times over a two minute span until a basket by Vorwald put NWC on top for good, 50-48. A jumper by Walker Seim gave Northwestern its largest lead of the night (62-53) until a 9-2 run by the Lancers put the visitors down two (64-62) with 39 seconds left to play. Ben Miller made 3-of-4 free throws to preserve the win for Coach Korver's squad.
Northwestern shot 46% for the game, 26% from beyond the arc. Miller led a balance offensive attack with 15 points and Daniel Van Kalsbeek netted 14 points and a team high eight rebounds. Both Ryan Stock and Ryan Hoogeveen scored eight points.
Mount Marty was led by Jared Wall with 20 points and 12 rebounds while Jeff Viereck scored 14 points off the bench.
The Red Raiders will travel to Sioux Falls, S.D. to play 17th-ranked and second-seeded USF on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 7:00 pm.
2009-10 Media Guide
