Kassidy De Jong scored a game-high 26 points and Haley Birks netted 21 in leading No. 25 Northwestern College to a 90-68 road win over Mount Marty tonight in Yankton, S.D. 

The win improves Northwestern to 5-6 in conference play, 13-6 overall. 

In just her third game back from a hand injury, De Jong made 6-of-10 field goal attempts, including three three-pointers, and 11-of-13 free throws en route to her 26-point effort. Birks also drained a trio of three-pointers and scored 21. Anna Kiel netted 13 points and grabbed seven boards coming off the bench while Darbi Gustafson registered her seventh double-double with 13 points and 10 boards. Paige Danner added 11 points, giving the Red Raiders five in double figures. 

How It Happened...

Down by one early, Northwestern went ahead for good after a 7-0 run on consecutive baskets by Kiel and a lay-up by Chanda Zomermaand. 

Baskets by Kiel and Birks put the Red Raiders in front 17-10 at the end of the first quarter.

The teams traded baskets over the opening minutes of the second quarter until Northwestern outscored the hosts 17-3 during a five-minute span for a commanding 40-23 lead. De Jong drained a pair of three's and Birks added one during the decisive run. Northwestern led 45-29 at the half.

Northwestern maintained at least a 14-point advantage for the duration of the second half and first led by 20+ points at the 2:40 mark of the third quarter.

By the Numbers...

Northwestern outscored Mount Marty in each of the four quarters.

The Red Raiders shot 53% for the game, 50% (7/14) from beyond the arc; Mount Marty shot 38% for  the game, 30% (6/20) from the three-point line

Northwestern controlled the glass, 45-24, doubling up the offensive boards, 12-6; Gustafson led the way with 10 and both both Kiel and De Jong pulled down seven

Renee Maneman dished out seven assists and Danner totaled four to go with two steals

Denae Veldkamp led Mount Marty with 21pts; Logan Wagner put in 17 and Sammy Kasowski scored 15