Colton Kooima knocked down a half-court shot just before time expired to push No.5 Northwestern to an 81-80 season opening win over the University of Jamestown (N.D.) played tonight in Jamestown, N.D. 

After Nathan Wedel scored off a lay-up to tie the game at 78 with 32 seconds left, the host team called timeout and Jimmies guard Kevin Oberweiser dribbled in an scored what seemed to be the game-winner from six-feet with five seconds left. Northwestern immediately inbounded the ball to Kooima on the left sideline and the senior dribbled twice and shot it from halfcourt, banking it home as time expired for the come-from-behind win.

Kooima led Northwestern in scoring with 26 points, 19 coming during the final half, draining 4-of-8 three-pointers. Derek Buysse added 16 points, 12 coming from beyond the arc, and both Wedel (14) and Riley Francis (10) were also in double figures. 

How It Happened...

With Northwestern down one (10-9), Jamestown scored the next seven points to open up an eight point lead after a jumper by Ben Weisbeck. Back came the Red Raiders with an 8-2 run, getting baskets by Wedel (2), Buysse and Chris Borchers. making it a two-point game but Jamestown countered with an 11-0 run, finished off with three-pointers by Sam Johnson and Jon Purintun, for a 30-17 lead. 

The host Jimmies led by 11 (41-30) at halftime and extended out to a 19-point advantage after a three-pointer by Kevin Oberweiser with 15-minutes left. Nine straight points, sparked by a three-pointer by Parker Mulder, brought the Red Raiders within striking distance, 54-44, and Northwestern made it a seven-point game moments later after a jumper by Kooima and two free throws by Mulder. 

Jamestown's lead went from 6-9 points until the 3-minute mark when Buysse connected on a three-pointer and a Wedel free throw made it a three-point game, 75-72, with 2:39 left. With the Jimmies up four (77-73), Northwestern scored five of the next six points, tying the game with consecutive baskets by Wedel (78-78), setting up the final 32 seconds. 

By the Numbers...

Northwestern shot 45% for the game, 42% (10/24) from the three-point line; Jamestown was just a tad better at 51% from the field, 47% (8/17) from the three-point arc.

The Red Raiders had a slight edge in scoring from the free throw line, going 15-for-19 (79%); Jamestown struggled from the charity stripe at 58% (14/24); Northwestern went to the line only three times in the opening half but went 14-for-16 over the final 20 minutes

Both teams pulled down 35 rebounds; Northwestern totaled eight on the offensive glass compared to seven for Jamestown

Turnovers were even at 12

Kooima's four three-pointers put in a tie with Brandon Woudstra (1999-2003) for fourth place all-time with 226 three-pointers for his career

Leighton Sampson led all players with 27 points, going 13-for-21 from the field; Jon Purintun added 21 and Sam Johnson scored 12.