ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Northland College Men's Basketball team was defeated 86-65 by the University of Northwestern in its final road game of the season, in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference play, on Wednesday night in St. Paul, Minn. Senior Jahlani Thornton recorded his fourth double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Eagles started the game by scoring the first two baskets. Thornton put the LumberJacks on the board with a jump shot. Points began to trade back and forth, with Ari Pierson and Stephen Kesti scoring for Northland. An eight-point run by UNW allowed them to gain some separation. Damian Cejka responded with the team's first three-pointer, and off a Thornton steal, Cejka scored again to cut the lead to four. Another eight-point run by the Eagles restored their momentum. Points from Thornton and Hayden Harmoning helped chip away at the lead, but Northwestern continued to go on runs and entered halftime leading 49-23.
 
After giving up the first basket of the second half, Northland responded with the next five points. Shortly after, Kesti connected from deep, followed by Donovan Washington, to make some headway. Northland and Northwestern traded points for a while. Later in the half, Kesti hit another three-pointer, followed by a Thornton layup, attempting to spark a large run. However, a three-pointer from UNW ended that effort. Northland continued to fight, going on small runs, but the Eagles always had an answer and went on to win 86-65.
 
Thornton led the Jacks offensively and defensively with 15 points and 10 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. Kesti matched Thornton with 15 points, including a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc. Washington rounded out the top three with 13 points. Kesti continued to add to his historic blocking season with three more in the contest.
 
The Jacks will end the season on Saturday with a 3 p.m. game against Martin Luther College.
 
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 and the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.