THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — A second half comeback was just out of reach as the California Lutheran University men's basketball team fell to the University of Northwestern (Minn.) 85-77 on Tuesday night. 

After the Eagles took a 41-23 lead at the half, the Kingsmen cut the lead to nine early in the second half. The Purple and Gold continued to fight, getting it down to eight midway through. A final push put the Kingsmen right there as they were down by seven, 79-71, with 1:44 to go. 

Northwestern kept that distance the rest of the way, with made free throws, and missed opportunities by the Kingsmen, to open the Kingsmen Classic with a thrilling game. 

Mason Johnson was the Kingsmen's leading scorer with 22, but had a tough shooting day going 8-for-22 from the field and 2-for-10 from three. He added five assists and two steals. 

Devon Lewis poured in a career-high 18 points. He drilled three three-points and shot 50-percent from the field. He dished out two assists and had three steals. 

Miles Houston was next with nine points and Ryan Grande and Justin Stanziano both had seven. 

Brock Susko came off the bench and had a team-high 10 rebounds. He made his presence known on the court with five rebounds being offensive. He also put up four assists, four points, two steals and one block. 

Three-point range made the difference in the game as the Kingsmen were 8-29 (27.6-percent) while the Eagles were 11-24 (45.8). Both teams missed free throws as Cal Lutheran was 7-17 (41.2-percent) and Northwestern was 16-25 (64.0).

The Kingsmen continue the season with conference play and host Pomona-Pitzer on Saturday (New Year's day) at 5 p.m.

Box Score: UNW 85, CLU 77
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Release by Ryan Jorgenson, Sports Information Director