Northland Men's Basketball wasn't able to erase first half deficit in loss to Beloit in the home opener by a  final score of 59-70. 

Box Score

The Northland College Men's Basketball team played host for the first time this season on Saturday afternoon, returning to the Kendrigan Center to take on Beloit College in an early season non-conference game. Beloit held the LumberJacks to just 32% shooting in the first half to build a 16 point halftime lead. The Buccaneers had to survive a stronger second half push from the Jacks to secure the win 76-59.

A game after shooting 50% from the three-point on 30 attempts the LumberJacks were held to just eight field goals in the first half. Langston Flowers got the LumberJacks on the board in the first with a jumper. A pair of missed three-point tries later and Ben Smith got the put-back layup to keep pace with the Lions early lead. Smith made a second layup before Kevon Powell came off the bench to score five points on back-to-back possessions. A 11-2 run helped Beloit build a point lead before Isaiah Campbell's layup got the Jacks back on the board. Campbell hit two free throws several minutes later. Hunter Hannuksela made a free throw for the Jacks in the final seconds of the half, but the Buccaneers were able to take the 16 point lead into the break.

Northland was able to find some success shooting in the second half. Drew Lindberg scored all of his team-high 14 points in the second half. The junior guard was able to knock down two three pointers, including a buzzer-beater, and go four-for-four from the charity stripe. Unfortunately, it was too little too late as Beloit was able to hang on for the victory. 

Northland (0-2, 0-0 UMAC) will have a quick turnaround as they return to the Kendrigan Center for a Sunday afternoon contest against Finlandia. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 PM.

Northland College is an NCAA Division III institution located in Ashland, WI. The LumberJacks and LumberJills sponsor 14 varsity sports and compete in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, Midwest Lacrosse Conference and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.