ST. PAUL, Minn. – A late three-pointer with 1.5 seconds remaining gave the University of Northwestern a 64-61 decision over the Macalester men's basketball team in a non-conference game Tuesday night in the Leonard Center. The loss drops the Scots to 2-3 on the season, while the Eagles remain unbeaten at 5-0.
A basket and a free throw by first year guard
Michael Gutierrez (Stillwater, Minn./St. Croix Prep Academy) knotted the score at 61-61 with 1:14 left in the second half. Following a Northwestern turnover and an empty possession for Macalester, the Eagles held the ball for the last shot. With time winding down, Cody Sprenger took a three-pointer from the top of the key over his defender and made it with 1.5 seconds on the clock. Gutierrez's desperation shot from half court was off the mark, ending an exciting game in Northwestern's favor.
The Eagles led 19-14 midway through the first half before three-pointers by senior guard
Kyle Bernhard (Sleepy Hollow, Ill./Dundee-Crown) and first year guard
Dean Shoham (Encino, Calif./Viewpoint) sparked a 10-2 run and gave Macalester a 24-21 edge. The lead grew to as many as six before Northwestern cut it to three, 31-28 at halftime. Bernhard hit three of the Scots' five three-pointers of the half en route to 13 points.
The game stayed close in the second half, with neither team leading by more than four points. The Eagles regained the lead with 14:26 to play and went up, 56-52 on a three by Clay Elrod with 8:10 left. Back-to-back baskets from junior center
Kareem Ismail (Pasadena, Calif./Flintridge Prep) tied the score at 56-56 before Northwestern pulled ahead, 61-58 with two minutes remaining. Gutierrez tied the score for the Scots but it was not enough as Sprenger and the Eagles prevailed.
Gutierrez led Macalester in scoring for the third straight game, scoring 17 points with three assists. Bernhard finished with 13 points, while Ismail contributed 12 points and six rebounds. Junior guard
Jordan Black (Dallas, Tex./Covenant Christian) grabbed a game-high eight rebounds for the Scots. Elrod and Porter Morrell each had 16 to pace Northwestern, which advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Tournament last season.
Macalester begins MIAC play on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at Hamline. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in St. Paul, Minn.
