WEST PALM BEACH, FL.---The Northwood University men's basketball suffered a close loss to #4 Dakota Wesleyan 67-65 on Tuesday evening. This was the conclussion of the Dick Versace Holiday Classic.

The Seahawks held  a 65-64 lead with 21 seconds left after a Chris Solomon three pointer , however the Tigers hit a three pointer with ten seconds left taking a 67-65 lead. Northwood had a chance to win or tie the game but were unable to get a shot off before the buzzer sounded.

In the first half, a pair of threes by Malte Ziegenhagen gave the Seahawks an early 10-7 advantage with 15:10 on the clock. Dakota Wesleyan tied the game up at 16-16 using a 10-2 run taking their largest lead of the game at 26-18 with 6:25 left in the half. Back to back buckets by Ian Umpierre sparked a 14-4 run over the final six minutes giving Northwood a 32-30 lead heading into the break.

In the new half, with the Seahawks still holding a narrow 38-36 lead, Umpierre again hit two straight shots sparking a 7-0 run that was capped off by a Julain Smith layup making it 44-36 with 14:15 left in the game. Dakota Wesleyan tried chipping into the lead but the Seahawks fought them off taking their largest lead of the game at 54-43 with 10:40 left. Over the last ten minutes, Dakota Wesleyan continued fighting back eventually overcoming the deficit and handing Northwood the 67-65 loss.

Ziegenhagen led four players in double digits with 17, while Marcus Hardy had 11. Solomon and Smith each had ten points apiece. Umpierre had a team high three assists, while Fred Mattison and Hardy had nine rebounds apiece.

Following the game, Malte Ziegenhagen and Fred Mattison were named to the All-Tournament team. 

The Seahawks will look to snap their three game losing skid on Friday at home when they take on Concordia Canada in the Chuck Daly Memorial Tournament. The tipoff is slated for 7:00 p.m.