ASHLAND, Wis. – The Northland College Men's Basketball team trailed at the half and was unable to complete a comeback against Crown College falling 78-94 in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference action Saturday evening in Ashland, Wis.
 
The Jacks were down early giving up a nine-point run to start the game. Blake Richard scored the first basket for Northland nearly four minutes in getting an assist from Ben Smith. Drew Lindberg had another strong showing. After a made jumper and three pointer, Lindberg cut the Polars' lead to one. Langston Flowers put Northland in front after converting from beyond the arc and three made free throws to give NC a 29-27 edge. To end the half the Polars went on an 8-to-2 run to go up 44-36.
 
Another big run from Crown started the second half to extend the lead to 16, five minutes in. Damian Cejka made a three and Flowers on the following two drives scored four points bringing Northland within 10. The Polars responded with eight unanswered. After trading baskets and free throws for the remainder of the game Crown College came out on top 94-78.
 
Lindberg continues to lead the Jacks in scoring dropping 21 points in the loss with 15 coming from the long ball. From three the senior shot 5-for-8 and was 8-for-18 from the field. Jordan Brennan, Tyler Tuura, and Flowers were behind Lindberg with 12 points. Cejka was the fifth LumberJack in double-figures with 11 points from three threes and two free throws. Brennan and Tuura led the team in assists with two.
 
Defensively, Kayden Palmi paved the way securing five rebounds, all of the defensive glass. Brennan finished one behind Palmi with four. Lindberg and Brennan had the majority of the team's steals combining for six. Northland blocked two shots with Lindberg and Tuura landing in that category.
 
The Jacks step away from UMAC play next week when they travel to Beloit on Saturday for a 3 p.m., tipoff.
 
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.