Box Score
Milwaukee, Wis. – An energetic second half of basketball by the Cardinal Stritch University Wolves men’s basketball team helped to fend off a tough Northland International University team as the Wolves claimed a 69-53 non-conference win at home on Friday night over the Pioneers.
The first half was action-packed as the visiting Pioneers played the Wolves tough throughout the period. With Stritch holding to a slim, one-point lead at 13-12, with 12 minutes remaining, the offense started to gain some distance from Northland International.
The Wolves’ offense would string together a 7-0 run, thanks to four baskets by Kody Braddix (Glendale, Ariz.) that would put Stritch out in front 20-12. The Pioneers would come back, closing the gap to within six at 24-18, but again, the Wolves would extend the lead back out to nine points at 27-18 with 3:15 left to play
From there, the Stritch offense would suddenly go dormant as Northland International would go on an 11-3 run. The half would end with momentum in favor of the visiting Pioneers as Brad Snyder (Romeoville, Ill.) would sink a three-pointer as time expired, closing the Stritch lead to one point at 30-29.
While the Wolves shot 56 percent from the field and edged the Pioneers in rebounding, 18-16, Stritch struggled through the first half because of poor free throw shooting and lack of shooting opportunities. Stritch shooters hit only nine of their 17 chances from the foul line in the opening period. In general, the offense was only able to generate 18 shots in the half while Northland International cranked out 32 shots against the Wolves, but only made 34 percent of those attempts.
At the break, Braddix would lead all scorers with nine points while Joel Widmer (Oshkosh, Wis.) would lead NIU with eight points. Stritch’s Brandon D’Amico (Geneva, Ill.) and Navjot Singh (Mundelein, Ill.) would add seven points apiece also.
The Wolves would come alive in the second half thanks to D’Amico and Trey Triplett (Lisle, Ill.) as the duo would lead an offensive surge that saw Stritch go up 42-32. D’Amico, who had seven points at the break, would quickly add six in opening minutes as Triplett would add four points to the cause.
Up 44-34, D’Amico would come up with a steal and a chance for a breakaway layup, but would miss, however Triplett would be there for the put-back as Stritch would go up 12 points at 46-34.
The Wolves would put the hammer down on the Pioneers, pulling away by as much as 19 points at one point and eventually claiming the 69-53 win.
D’Amico was electric during the second half for Stritch, pouring in 17 points in route to a 24-point night to lead the Wolves. Triplett would also have a strong second half, scoring 12 points in the period and 15 points on the evening. Meanwhile, Navjot Singh would close the game with 16 points.
Widmer would lead the visiting Pioneers with 14 points in the game and nine rebounds.
The win helps the Wolves improve to 21-4 overall, extending their winning streak to 13-straight games. The loss drops Northland International to 12-8 on the year. Stritch will take to the floor again tomorrow as they’ll face Holy Cross College on the road in Notre Dame, Ind. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.