Box Score

Two extended Northwestern scoring runs proved to be the difference in the Red Raiders 89-87 win over Concordia in the conference opener played tonight in the Bultman Center. 

Colton Kooima scored a game-high 27 points, including a three-pointer with 28 seconds left that gave the Red Raiders a six-point lead and helped ice the game. Justin Van Kalsbeek was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field en route to a career-high 17 point effort while both Derek Buysse (14) and Nathan Wedel (10) were also in double figures. 

How It Happened...

Northwestern shot 66% and led throughout most of the first half. Tied at 34 following a three-pointer by Concordia guard Eli Ziegler, Northwestern closed the half on a 16-5 run over the final four-plus minutes to take a 50-39 advantage into halftime. Derek Buysse and Parker Mulder each knocked down a three-pointer and Justin Van Kalsbeek scored six during the run.

A three-pointer by Chandler Folkerts capped an 8-2 Concordia run as the Bulldogs made it a three-point game in the opening minutes of the second half. Northwestern responded with a 17-2 run capped by a three-pointer by Buysse and seven straight points by Colton Kooima. 

Back-to-back scoring runs of 12-3 and 10-2 nearly brought Concordia all the way back but Kooima drained a late three-pointer to hold off the Bulldogs. 

By the Numbers...

Both teams shot 60% for the game with Concordia having the advantage from the three-point line (48% - 39%). 

Northwestern won the turnover battle (19-13) but was outrebounded by the Bulldogs, 28-25

Kooima has scored 20+ points in three straight games

Jordan Baker led the Red Raiders on the glass with five boards; Wedel and Buysse both pulled down four rebounds

Wedel dished out six assists

Chris Johnstone led Concordia with 22 points while Eli Ziegler (21) and Chandler Folkerts (20) were also in double figures

Folkerts, with 10 boards, recorded a double-double.