Two Norse sophomores stepped up to lead the Norse in the early going.  Wagner and Chris Dobessi (SO, Detroit, MI) combined to score the first twenty points for the Norse.

Cal Raymond (FR, Gibraltar, MI) was finally able to add some assistance when he buried a three to close the Panther lead to 24-23 late in the first half.
 

Wagner scored 14 in the first half, while Dobessi added ten.  Dobessi also stepped up his effort on defense, being credited with a number of stops and taking multiple charges in the first half.  He would score a layup late to make the score 30-28 at the half, but Dobessi landed awkwardly on that shot, limiting him for the rest of the game.
 

Wagner continued to show off his hot hand in the second half.  He scored the first ten points of the half for the Norse, which included two shots from behind the three-point arc, the second of which tied the game at 38. 
 

The two teams would find themselves in a dog fight down the stretch as they traded baskets.  Wagner would get fouled on a basket at the rim, making the shot, but missing the free throw to keep the game tied at 43.
 

Jaden Janke (FR, Dollar Bay, MI) buried a big three to make the score 46-45 in favor of Morton, and then with 10:18 he completed a baseline drive and got fouled for a three-point play attempt of his own.  His free throw would be off the mark as well, and the score stood at 49-48 with the Panthers in the lead.
 

An 11-2 run by the host team, capped off by a Latik Murphy (SO, Berwyn, IL) three pointer, seemed to put the Panthers in position to run away with the game late.  The Norse were not ready to surrender, and Raymond hit a three to answer, making the score 64-57.
 

With 2:40 remaining in the game, Wagner missed the mark with a three-point basket, but was fouled on the play.  The sophomore took advantage of the opportunity, drilling all three attempts from the charity stripe, cutting the Morton lead to six.

Moments later, Ashton Janke (FR, Dollar Bay, MI) took advantage of a big offensive rebound from Jibril Ndiaye (FR, Mount Dora, FL), and connected on a long jumper from behind the arc, cutting that lead in half. 
 

Unfortunately, the Norse were not able to take advantage of the remaining opportunities.  A couple of defensive stops proved to be fruitless on the offensive end.  They were only able to hit one of two from the free throw line with 38 seconds left, and then came up short on a three-point attempt when Morton missed free throws with 25 seconds remaining.  In the end, the Panthers would hold on for the five-point win at home.
 

Wagner's 32 led all scorers, as he hit four three-pointers and was eight of ten from the charity stripe.  Dobessi finished his evening with 11 points.
 

Nikola Sinik (FR, Streamwood, IL) led the Panthers with 19 points.  Tavis Stampley (FR, Chicago, IL) added 13 points, while Murphy ended the game with 12 points.
 

The Norse wrap up their challenging weekend with a trip to the NJCAA Division 2 #1 ranked team, South Suburban College.  That game will tip at 3 pm.