Men's Basketball Drops Season Opener 84-67 To Bellarmine

SAGINAW, MICH. – The Northwood University men's basketball dropped the season-opener 84-67 to No. 10 Bellarmine in the GLIAC-GLVC Challenge at Saginaw Valley Friday evening (November 14). It was the season opener for both teams.

Bellarmine jumped out to an early lead, scoring the first six points of the game. NU fought back to come within two at 8-6 before the Knights went on a 10-0 run to lead 18-6 at the 13:30 mark. The Timberwolves then went on an 11-2 run of their own to cut the lead to three (20-17) with under eleven minutes to go. Bellarmine answered with another 9-0 streak to pull ahead 29-17 at 9:05. After trading three-pointers and free throws for the remainder of the half, the Knights went into the locker room with a 45-32 advantage.

For the half, Bellarmine shot 54.2 percent (13-24) from the floor and 71.4 percent (5-7) from beyond the arc. The Knights also shot 14 of 18 from the charity stripe for 77.8 percent. NU finished the period at 36.7 percent (11-30) from the floor and went 2 for 10 from three-point range. Dylan Langkabel (Morristown, Ind.) netted 14 points in the first half. The Timberwolves also shot 72.7 percent (8-11) from the foul line. Bellarmine held the rebounding advantage 20-12.

The Knights continued dominating offensively, scoring 11 straight points and holding the Timberwolves scoreless for the first four minutes of the second half. It wasn't until the 16:16 mark that the Timberwolves scored, trailing 56-34. After falling behind 60-44 at the 13:30 mark, Northwood didn't quit and won the next three minutes to pull within nine (62-53) with 10:03 remaining. The Timberwolves would not get any closer the rest of the way.

For the game, NU shot 45.5 percent (25-55) from the floor and 21.4 percent (3-14) from the three-point line. Bellarmine finished at 53.8 percent (28-52), 40.0 percent (6-15) from beyond the arc and 22 of 27 from the free throw line for 81.5 percent. The Knights out-rebounded NU 38-23 to go alone with five blocks and 20 assists. NU forced 17 turnovers and finished with 13 steals as a team.

Langkabel led the way for the Timberwolves, finishing with a game-high 20 points. Maurice Jones (Saginaw, Mich./Arthur Hill/USC) added 16 points, eight steals, six assists and four rebounds. 

Northwood will return to action tomorrow (November 15) against St. Joseph's at 5:30 p.m. This will be the final day of the GLIAC-GLVC Challenge, hosted at Saginaw Valley State.