No.17 Northwestern used a strong first half to hand NAIA Division I Grand View its first loss of the season 85-69, in a non-conference match-up played tonight at the Bultman Center. The win pushes the Northwestern record to 3-3 and Grand View drops to 3-1.

Darbi Gustafson matched her career-high for the second straight game with 22 points and ripped down seven rebounds, one of four Red Raiders who scored in double figures. Renee Maneman netted a season-high 15 to go with 12 assists, matching her career high, for her fifth career double-double. Both Paige Danner and Kassidy De Jong poured in 14 points each with De Jong pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds, her second double-double of the season, 14th of her career.

How It Happened...

Northwestern began the game with a 9-2 run and, after a basket by Grand View, the hosts scored the next 10 points for a 19-4 lead on a jumper by Danner with 2:55 left in the first quarter. The teams traded baskets over the final minutes to make the score 23-9 at the end of the first quarter. The Red Raiders shot 56% compared to 29% by the Vikings over the initial 10 minutes. 

An 11-2 run put Northwestern in front 34-11 after a three-pointer by Breana Schuiteman early in the second. The hosts continued to push and led by 28 (43-15) on baskets by Katie Vander Molen and Maneman before Grand View made it a 23-point game, 45-22, by intermission.

Northwestern led by double digits over the entire second half; Grand View made one final charge, getting to within 13 late in the final quarter. 

By the Numbers...

Northwestern shot 52% for the game, 43% (9/21) from beyond the arc; Grand View went 48% from the field, 39% (5/13) from the three-point line.

The Red Raiders had a big advantage at the free throw line, making 14/19 (74%) compared to 4/6/ (67%) for Grand View

Northwestern had the edge on the glass, 33-31, led by De Jong (10), Gustafson (7) and Breana Schiteman (5).

Maneman led all players with 12 assists; Northwestern assisted on 31 of its made field goals

Payton Keeney led Grand View with 22 points, going 10/11 from the field; Bailee Arnburg chipped in 17 and Jaci Stumpf added 15.