Box Score

Northwestern College pushed its win streak to eight as they defeated Doane University 79-68 in a conference match-up played this afternoon at the Bultman Center. 

The Red Raiders stayed unbeaten in conference play (3-0) and improved to 8-1 overall, their best start to the season since 2011-12 (9-1). Doane dropped its GPAC opener and is now 5-4 on the year.

 Colton Kooima scored 24 of his game-high 29 points in the first half, making 12-of-23 field goal attempts. Jordan Baker put in 15 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season and Nathan Wedel chipped in 12. 

How It Happened...

Doane held the game's early lead (13-9) at the 16-minute mark but Northwestern went on a 17-5 run, capped by consecutive three-pointers by Nathan Wedel, Colton Kooima and a jumper by Riley Francis. 

Northwestern rode the hot hand of Kooima, who scored his team's next 14 points, as the Red Raiders stretched the lead to 13, 42-29. Another basket Kooima put NWC in front 46-32 at the half.

The Red Raiders held a double-digit lead for the entirety of the final half, leading by as many as 18 at two different times.

By the Numbers...

Both teams struggled shooting, with Northwestern at 44% and Doane at 43%; the Tigers had the edge from the three-point line, 40% (10-for-25) compared to 32% by NWC (7-for-2)

The Red Raiders held a significant advantage on the glass, 44-27, and a 15-1 edge on the offensive side leading to a 12-2 scoring advantage.

Kooima has now scored 20+ points in six games and has been in double figures in eight games

Baker has pulled down 10+ rebounds in back-to-back games; the senior has 23 double-doubles for his career.

Riley Francis was one point shy (9 points, 11 rebounds) of his first double-double.