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Free-throw finale

By Journal Sports Staff

MARQUETTE – Freshman guard Naba Echols drained two free throws with seven seconds to go to complete a big second-half comeback as Northern Michigan University posted a 68-67 men’s basketball victory over visiting Malone on Saturday afternoon.

The Wildcats (2-3 overall, 1-1 GLIAC) trailed 37-26 at halftime and fell behind by 14 points, 44-28, less than two minutes into the second half.

Though Northern used a 19-4 spurt to take the lead less than six minutes later, the teams traded the lead a number of times down the stretch.

Malone took a 67-66 lead with 14 seconds remaining on a Neil Gingerich layup before Echols made both free throws seconds later. Malone’s Jay Parker tried a winning layup at the buzzer that the Wildcats’ Brett Branstrom blocked.

Echols finished with just six points, four coming on free throws. Northern’s Jordan Perez and Malone’s Stephen O’Daniel III shared scored honors with 17 points. Perez, who made three triples, and teammate Donnell Cegars shared game rebounding honors with seven apiece.

Northern’s Terry Nash finished with 14 points, seven coming during his team’s furious early second-half comeback, while Kenny Williams scored 10.

Malone used a 7-2 at the start of the game to lead throughout the first half, opening up a lead of double digits on several occasions.

The Wildcats return to the court at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Wayne State.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal. net.

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