Balanced Attack Results in 69-63 Victory
Dec. 15, 2007
With the score tied 37-37 at intermission, Luther put together an impressive 17-7 run in the middle of the second half en rout to a 69-63 victory over Northwestern College (MN) this afternoon in the Regents Center. The combination of a balanced offensive attack and a stifling defensive effort in the second frame proved to be the difference in this ball game.
An Andrew Dahlheimer jumper gave the Norse the lead for good with 15:35 left in the game. His bucket broke the tenth tie of the ball game, giving the Norse a 45-43 advantage and started the 17-7 run.
Austin Bildstein (14) and Tony Brantner (13) led the Norse offensive attack that saw nine players contribute. Dahlheimer and Zac Ruckebeil tallied eight points, while Jake Waddle and Dan Borchers were both credited with seven. Ruckebeil continued to be a force on the glass, pulling down a team high 11 rebounds. Bildstein and Brantner were a close second with eight rebounds each.
Northwestern went cold in the second half primarily due to a solid defensive effort by the Norse. The Eagles connected on just 35% of their attempts in the final half and shot 39% for the game. Luther also forced Northwestern in to 13 turnovers and won the battle of the boards 45-42.
Offensively, the Eagles were led by Stephen Hanson (19) and Mike Anderstrom (14). Chris Gonsior came in off the bench and tallied nine. Daniel Hanson pulled down a game high 12 rebounds.
The win was Luther's second in a row and leveled its overall record to 4-4. The victory also snapped Northwestern's four-game win streak and gives the Eagles a mark of 6-3.
Luther returns to action Dec. 29 and 30, when it will travel to Dallas, Texas. The Norse will play the University of Texas - Dallas on the 29th and the University of Dallas on the 30th.
