Kassidy De Jong and Darbi Gustafson scored 22 points each in leading No.17 Northwestern to a 70-60 win over William Penn in the season opener for both teams. 

De Jong shot 8-for-16 from the field and drained all four free throw attempts in scoring 20+-points for the 24th time of her career. Gustafson matched her career high, going 6-for-11 from the floor, and also pulled down 10 rebounds for her ninth double-double of her career. 

How It Happened...

Tied at two, Northwestern outscored the Statesmen 14-0 over a five-minute span to open up a 16-2 lead. A jumper by Paige Danner followed by a three-poiner by De Jong extended the Red Raider lead to 25-4 at the three-minute mark. Northwestern shot 60% in the opening quarter and held WPU to 27%, resulting in a 28-6 advantage by quarters end. 

A jumper by De Jong pushed the Red Raiders lead to 24 (30-6) at the beginning of the second period but William Penn outscored the hosts 15-10 the rest of the way to trim the lead to 40-21. Northwestern cooled off to 33% in the quarter while the Statesmen shot 33% during the first half.

Another three-pointer by Danner gave Northwestern its largest lead, 49-24, at the 5:13 mark of the third quarter. William Penn, however, outscored NW 10-4 during the final four minutes, led by Sham Troupe (4pts) and Sarah Hansen (5pts), for a 53-34 at the end of the third quarter.

William Penn made one last charge, using a 12-1 run to get within six (66-60) during the final minute. Both Gustafson and Renee Maneman converted a pair of free throws, however, and put the game away. 

By the Numbers...

Northwestern shot 41% for the game; 22% (4/18) from beyond the arc; William Penn shot 40%, 29% (5/17) from the three-point line

The Red Raiders were 20-for-26 (77%) from the free throw line; William Penn 68% (13/19)

Northwestern was outrebounded 37-34; 9-8 on the offensive boards.

Red Raiders committed 14 turnovers compared to 21 by the Statesmen

Danner scored 15 points, draining a pair of three-pointers; Maneman added 11 points, giving the Red Raiders four players in double figures

Maneman dished out seven assists; Gustafson ripped down 10 boards

William Penn was led by Sarah Hansen with 22 points, going 5-for-13 from the three-point line