Box Score Northwestern College outlasted Midland 84-81 in double overtime in a conference match-up played tonight in Fremont, Neb. The Red Raiders earned their third straight win and improve to 4-5 in conference play, 12-5 overall.
Midland had its five-game win streak snapped and drops to 4-4 in the GPAC, 11-5 overall.
Darbi Gustafson matched her career-high with 22 points, scoring in double figures for the ninth consecutive game and 11th overall. Kassidy De Jong netted 17 points and pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. Chanda Zomermaand (14) and Renee Maneman (12) were also in double figures for the Red Raiders.
How It Happened...
Close throughout the entire first half, the opening 20 minutes featured nine lead changes and eight ties. Northwestern closed with the best run of the half, a 7-2 surge to put the Red Raiders in front 33-30 after a Chanda Zomermaand lay-up just before the break.
The Red Raiders grabbed their largest lead (44-33) with four minutes left in the third quarter after a lay-up by Anna Kiel, capping a 9-2 run. Midland responded with its best run of the game to close within two, 48-46, by quarters end.
The Warriors' run continued into the fourth as the hosts scored the first 10 of the quarter to take their largest lead, 56-48, after a Maddie Meadows jumper with eight minutes left. Back came Northwestern, however, as Kassidy De Jong scored off a putback to trigger an 11-2 run to eventually tie it at 63. De Jong and Gustafson both made 1-of-2 free throws down the stretch but consecutive baskets by Megan Kucks sent the game into overtime tied at 69.
Northwestern trailed for nearly the entire first overtime, falling behind by three (76-73) with three minutes left. A free throw by Gustafson made it a two-point game at the two-minute mark and Northwestern sent the game into the second overtime after a lay-up by De Jong with 27 seconds left. The Red Raiders held Midland scoreless for the final three minutes.
A basket by Maneman put Northwestern in front for good early in the second overtime (78-76) and they went up by as much as four, 82-78, on a lay-up by De Jong with 1:30 left. A free throw by both De Jong and Zomermaand proved to be just enough as the Red Raiders held off Midland 84-81.
By the Numbers...
Northwestern shot 61% for the game but struggled to just 25% (3/12) from the three-point line.
The Red Raiders held a slight 35-30 edge on the boards with both teams pulling down eight on the offensive side
Maneman dished out nine assists
Northwestern committed 26 turnovers compared to 19 for Midland
The Warriors were led by Megan Kucks with 23 points and six assists; Joelle Overkamp added 20 points and six rebounds.
