WEST PALM BEACH, FL.---Ian Umpierre layed the ball in with seven seconds left, lifting Northwood University men's basketball over Taylor 68-66 on Friday evening. This was the first night of the Marietta Rappaport Holiday Classic hosted by the Seahawks.

Chris Solomon scored six of the first ten Seahawk's points as Northwood jumped out to an early 10-5 lead. The Trojans fought back tying the score at 12-12 with 14:12 showing on the clock. Taylor took their only lead of the game at 15-12, but the Seahawks responded with a 9-0 run retaking a 21-15 advantage midway through the first. The Trojans again knotted the score at 23-23, but Northwood responded again with a 7-0 run pushing out to a 30-23 lead. The Seahawks would close out the half with a 39-31 lead.

Coming out of the break, Northwood used a 10-4 run extending their lead to 49-37 with 16:56 left in the game. Taylor would continue to cut into the lead eventually getting to within 61-60 with 4:15 to go. Marcus Hardy made a layup that was answered by a Trojan three tying the game at 63-63 with 2:45 showing. Solomon answered nailing a three going up 66-63, but again Taylor tied it at 66-66 with 18 seconds left when Northwood took a timeout. After the timeout, Umpierre drove to the basket and layed it in for the 68-66 win.

Hardy led the way on the night scoring 20 points, while Solomon chipped in 18. Fred Mattison had eight rebounds helping the Seahawks outrebound their opponents 30-29. Umpierre had a team high four steals and six assists.

With the win, Northwood moves to 7-0 overall on the season. The Seahawks return to the court tomorrow for night two of the Marietta Rappaport Holiday Classic taking on #12 Cornerstone. The tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Watch the game winning layup and hear Ian Umpierre following the contest: