Pierce and Sullivan combine for 36 points
MIDLAND -- The Northwood University men's basketball team defeated Findlay 69-66 Thursday night (February 11).
Northwood is now 12-9 overall, 8-9 in the GLIAC. Findlay stands at 16-6 overall, 12-5 in the GLIAC.
With the win, the Timberwolves snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Oilers. The last time Northwood beat Findlay was January 3, 2003 (83-80).
With the score tied 8-8 with 11:23 in the first half, Northwood went on a 16-2 run to go up 24-10 with 4:58 remaining in the half. The Oilers responded with a run of their own, scoring 14 of the final 18 points in the half to make cut the NU lead to 28-24 at the break. Northwood shot 42.9 percent from the floor (9-21), compared to 34.6 percent for the Oilers (9-26).
The second half was close throughout – neither team led by more seven until the final seconds. With the score tied at 54 with 2:09 remaining, Northwood made the plays down the stretch to earn the victory. The Timberwolves out-scored Findlay 15-8 before a last-second triple made the final margin four.
For the game, Northwood shot 19-40 (47.5 percent) from the floor. Findlay finished at 48.3 percent (23-55). NU out-scored the Oilers 27-15 at the foul line.
Dorian Pierce (Jackson, Mich.) led the Timberwolves with 19 points. Lionel Sullivan (Detroit, Mich./DePorres) had 17 points and eight rebounds. Chris Johnson (Belleville, Mich.) had a double-double, finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Northwood will travel to Hillsdale Saturday (February 13) at 3 p.m.
