ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Northland College Men's Basketball team held a lead early in the second half but ended up falling 84-66 to the University of Northwestern in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference play Saturday evening in St. Paul, Minn. Senior Jordan Brennan kept the Jacks in the contest knocking down three quick threes to start the second half.
 
Starting the game both teams traded off baskets. Brennan scored the first Northland bucket on a layup. The Jacks got their first lead of the game coming off a jumper in the paint from Stephen Kesti. Northland scored a season-high 11 three-pointers in the game with four coming in the first half. The largest lead in the first half with five points in favor of UNW. It did not hold long with Kayden Palmi converting on a layup to bring the game within one. To end the half the Eagles scored their fifth three to make the score 34-30 going into the half.
 
After an opening possession miss, the Jacks hit on three straight threes to take a one-point lead. UNW knocked down a pair of free throws to retake the lead. The Eagles would hold the lead for the rest of the game. Brennan would convert on two more deep balls to bring within one with just under 15 minutes to play. Following Northwestern scored nine unanswered to pull away from the Jacks. For the rest of the game, Northland could not keep pace and fell 84-66.
 
Brennan had his third 20-plus point game to lead Northland scoring 22. He shot 7-for-16 from the field, 6-for-12 from three, and a perfect 2-for-2 from the charity stripe. Drew Lindberg reached double-figures with 11 points, making three triples. Coming off the bench Jaden Jones finished third with eight points, four from the free-throw line. Langston Flowers dished out five assists for a team-high.
 
Kesti had a career-high eight rebounds to lead the LumberJacks defense with four offensive and four defensive. Northland was outrebounded 30-38. Flowers grabbed five boards, all on the defensive glass. Kesti also had the team's sole block.
 
The Jacks return home for their next contest, hosting Martin Luther College for UMAC action on Friday at 7:15 p.m.
 
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.