Northwestern College Athletics

Northwestern used a big second half to defeat Presentation 91-46 in the final women's game of the Pizza Ranch Classic played tonight at the Bultman Center. The Red Raiders even their record to 2-2 while the Saints drop to 0-3 on the year. 

Leading 43-27 at intermission, Northwestern outscored the Saints 48-19 over the final 20 minutes to pull away. The Red Raiders clamped down on the defensive end, limiting Presentation to a mere 16% from the field in the final half. Kassidy De Jong led all scorers with 21 points, going a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line. Darbi Gustafson scored 20 and Haley Birks chipped in a season-high 15 points to go with four rebounds. 

How It Happened...

The lead changed hands three times in a tight first quarter that ended with Northwestern scoring the final five points leading to a 19-14 lead. Kassidy De Jong knocked down a jumper with 30 seconds left and Haley Birks drained a three-point during the final seconds to put NWC in front.

Breana Schuiteman scored four consecutive points to put the Red Raiders up 32-23 and an 11-4 run over the final 2:30 put the hosts in front 43-27 at the half. 

Northwestern outscored Presentation 16-4 in the third quarter, holding the Saints to a lone field goal in the full 10 minutes of play. De Jong scored eight of the Red Raiders 16 points in the period. 

The Red Raiders continued to pour it on in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Saints 32-15 and shooting 58% in the final 10 minutes. Every Northwestern player scored and both Sammy Blum and Erika Sage knocked a pair of three-pointers.

By the Numbers...

Northwestern shot 46% for the game, 35% (6/17) from the three-point line and 92% (23/25) from the free throw line; Presentation made 25% of its field goal attempts, 19% (6/31) from the three-point line and 8/12 from the line.

The Red Raiders held a 45-34 edge on the glass, led by Renee Maneman with seven and Paige Danner with five

Northwestern committed just 11 turnovers and dished out 16 assists, led by Maneman with five.

Both De Jong and Gustafson have scored in double figures in every game this season

De Jong moved past Kerri Clark (1987-1991) and into 24th place all-time in career scoring; the junior has 1,128 career points

Macy Toelle led Presentation with 15 points and Karly Sanchez scored 10.