ST. PAUL, Minn. – Bethany men's basketball found itself back in the win column Wednesday after a back-and-forth 95-90 victory at Northwestern. The game featured eight lead changes and nine ties with the Vikings coming away with the series sweep, improving to 12-10 overall and 5-4 in the UMAC.
The Eagles created a little separation in the first half, up 17-12 at the 11:41 mark before the Vikings went on an 8-0 run to regain the lead. Bethany led by eight after a Will Walter layup with 1:57 left in the first, but the Eagles cut the deficit to three at the half, 41-38.
Bethany maintained the lead for the first four minutes of the second before the Eagles tied the game at 53. Northwestern then had the lead or was tied for the next seven minutes until Elliot Whitney made a layup at the 9:02 mark, giving the Vikings a 73-72 advantage. Northwestern jumped back in front with 7:15 remaining and didn't give up the lead until Max Briggs drained a three at the 2:55 mark, going up 87-86.
That was the last lead change of the night as the Vikings fended off multiple attempts by the Eagles in the final minute. Trailing by three with 12 seconds on the clock, Northwestern had two looks at three-pointers but missed both and Briggs closed it out with a couple free throws on the other end to secure the much-needed victory.
Five Vikings reached double-figure scoring, led by Walter with 19 points on 57.1 percent shooting. Walter also nabbed a team-high 12 rebounds for his first career double-double. Brady Ingersoll had 16 points, Jack Brockmann and Hudsen Jenniges each contributed 15 points, and Briggs added 13.
Bethany shot 50 percent on the night and made 9-of-30 from long range. Rebounding was even at 38 apiece.
The Vikings return home Saturday to take on UW-Superior. Bethany won the first game of the series 75-56 on Jan. 10 in Superior.
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