ASHLAND, Wis. – The Northland College Men's Basketball team was defeated in its home opener 87-57 by Bethel University Saturday afternoon in Ashland, Wis.
 
After giving up the first four points of the game Northland answered back with a layup by Damian Cejka and a three-pointer from Ari Pierson. The Jacks held the lead for nearly two minutes before a layup by the Royals switched the lead back. Bethel scored the following seven points to build a six-point cushion. Northland responded with back-to-back layups from Pierson and Cejka. The LumberJakcs were then held off the board for six minutes as BU pulled ahead 23-9. Northland would score a few more points but would trail by 22 at the half.
 
Stephen Kesti scored his first points of the game to start the second half with Donovan Washington assisting on the made basket. The Northland shots were not falling as Bethel continued to make basket after basket and were up 35 with 10 minutes left in the game. For the last 10 minutes baskets were traded with Northland unable to make a dent into the lead built up by the Royals and were defeated 57-87.
 
Cejka paced the team with 13 points and Iansan Simpson came off the bench to record the second most on the team with 10. Defensively, Washington grabbed a career-high 10 rebounds with Jahlani Thornton behind him with seven. The LumberJacks blocked five shots with Tyler Tuura sending two back.
 
The Jacks play next on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., against St. Mary's University in Winona, Minn.
 
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.