Box Score

Colton Kooima scored 28 points in leading Northwestern to its third straight win, holding off Valley City State 86-79 this afternoon at the Bultman Center. 

Following up a career-high 40-point effort in his team's win over Jamestown on Friday, Kooima netted 28 points, going 9-for-17 from the field. He also pulled down 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. Riley Francis added 13 points and Nathan Wedel scored 12 for the Red Raiders, as they improved to 3-1 on the year. 

How It Happened...

Valley City State held a slight lead for nearly all of the opening 12 minutes until, with Northwestern trailing 23-21, the Red Raiders went on a 19-7 run to take a 40-30 advantage with 1:52 left in the first half. Kooima drained three consecutive three-pointers and scored 15 of his 28 points during the run. Both teams knocked down a three-pointer in the final seconds to put the Red Raider lead at 43-33 at the break.

A Justin Van Kalsebeek basket put the Red Raiders in front 45-33 to start the second half but the Red Raiders could not put the Vikings away completely. VCSU rallied to get within five (63-58) and made it a two-point game (74-72) with 4:30 left to play after a three-pointer by Jayde Ferguson. Consecutive three-pointers by Riley Francis, however, iced the game for NWC during the final minutes. 

By the Numbers...

Both teams shot 51% for the game; Northwestern shot a bit better from the 3-point arc, 39% (11-for-28) compared to 36% (7-for-19) 

Northwestern held a 37-30 advantage on the boards and pulled down 12 on the offensive side.

Kooima has scored in double figures in all three games he played this season

Francis has scored in double figures in three of his four games

Christian Korver dished out a team-best four assists and made two of the Red Raiders 11 3pters

Taylor Ferguson led all players with 30 points; missed just four shots (12/16) in the game

Austin Dunbar (14) and Ellwood Ellenson (13) were also in double figures