SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Northland College Men's Basketball team was defeated 76-58 by the University of Wisconsin-Superior in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference play on Wednesday evening in Superior, Wis. Senior Jahlani Thornton led the scoring with 20 points and 14 rebounds, recording his second double-double of the season.
 
The LumberJacks took nearly seven minutes to score their first basket as the Yellowjackets built a 13-point lead. Stephen Kesti scored the team's first points with a long two-pointer. After that, the Jacks scored on their next two possessions, with Thornton and Damian Cejka each adding a basket. Ian McFaggen cut the lead to single digits with Northland's first three-pointer. Both teams traded baskets down the stretch, but a five-point run to end the half gave UWS a 45-27 lead.
 
Thornton started the second half by scoring the first basket, his 12th point of the game. After that, the Yellowjackets scored the next 10 points, forcing a Northland timeout. Cejka broke the scoring run with a step-back jumper, and McFaggen followed with a three-pointer. Although Northland's offense struggled to get going, UWS' lead didn't grow significantly. Thornton went on a four-point run to try to cut into the Yellowjacket advantage. A late three from Ryan Ehlert trimmed the lead to 20, and he followed up with a layup. McFaggen added a coast-to-coast basket, contributing to Northland's sixth consecutive point. However, the deficit proved too much to overcome, and Northland fell 76-58.
 
Thornton scored 20 points for the second time this season to lead the LumberJacks. Cejka and Ehlert also reached double figures with 12 points each, while McFaggen added eight. Thornton led the team with 14 rebounds. Kesti recorded two blocks, the most in the game. Grant Vessey, Cole Giesregen, and Ridge Guyette all made their debuts with the team.
 
The LumberJacks continue their road trip with a game at Bethany Lutheran College, scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday.
 
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.