Box Score

MADISON, Wis. –The Edgewood College men's basketball team wanted to send their seniors out on a high note, but Wisconsin Lutheran College didn't make it easy. The Warriors held the lead for most of the first half, and the Eagles struggled to gain control until there was eight minutes left in the game. Edgewood College escaped with the 70-65 win to set up a showdown for the Northern Athletics Conference North Division title on Tuesday at Concordia University Wisconsin.

Senior Ben Wisniewski scored early and often for the Eagles as he tallied 11 of their first 15 points. His first three-point basket cut the Eagle deficit in half before fellow senior Derek Nkemnji tied the game at six with a layup. Following an 8-8 tie, Tim Demuth sparked a 7-0 Warrior run, that was capped by a Cody Jackson layup to put Wisconsin Lutheran (5-18, 4-11 NAC) up 15-8, eight minutes in.

The Warrior lead swelled to 20-10 before the Eagles (18-5, 12-3 NAC) began to work their way back. Wisniewski hit a pair of free throws and another triple to start an 11-5 run. Justin Williams got the Eagles within 25-21 with two free throws at the 3:36 mark of the first half. The teams then traded baskets before Cashton Craig drilled his only triple of the game. Wisniewski capped the first half scoring with a jumper from the free throw line as the horn sounded to make the halftime score 29-28 Warriors.

The Eagles shot just 35.0 percent in the first half, but kept the game close thanks to their free throw shooting. Edgewood College went 11-for-13 from the charity stripe in the frame while the Warriors went 1-for-2. The Warriors shot 50.0 percent from the floor in the half.

The first 12 minutes of the second half was played within a three point spread with five ties and nine lead changes. Nkemnji broke the final tie with a layup at the 8:01 mark to give the Eagles the lead for good. A Russell Strutz jumper brought the Warriors back within one at 47-46, but Nkemnji sparked a 9-0 run with a pair of free throws. Kent Faurote followed with a three-point basket from the right corner before Williams got a steal and threw down a dunk to put the Eagles up 54-46 with under six minutes to go. Faurote capped the spurt with two free throws, and it looked like the Eagles seized the momentum.

However, Wisconsin Lutheran scored 12 of the next 18 points to cut their deficit right back to four points. Demuth then got the Warriors within 64-61 when he hit a deep three-point basket. After the Eagles went 3-for-4 from the free throw line, Alex Merbach collected an offensive rebound and made a layup to make it a two point game at 67-65 with 20 seconds left. Craig made it a three point game with a free throw and the Warriors had a chance to tie with 18 seconds on the clock. However, Edgewood College's pressure defense forced a turnover and Faurote sealed the win with two free throws.

The Eagles' shooting improved in the second half as they shot 61.9 percent, bringing their game total to 48.8 percent (20-for-41). The Warriors finished the game with a 43.1 field goal percentage. Edgewood College had a big advantage at the free throw line, going 26-for-32 (81.3 percent) while Warriors went 10-for-11 or 90.9 percent.

Wisniewski led five Eagle scorers in double figures with 17 while Nkemnji followed with 14 points. Williams and Faurote scored 12 points apiece and Craig chipped in with 11 points. Faurote grabbed game-high eight rebounds and Nkemnji dished out four assists.

Merbach led the Warriors with 19 points while Jackson and Strutz chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The win sets up a battle for the NAC North Division crown at Concordia Wisconsin on Tuesday. Tipoff from John Buuck Fieldhouse is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.