Derek Buysse scored a game-high 21 points in leading No.5 Northwestern College to a 78-62 road win over Hastings in a GPAC match-up played in Hastings, Neb. Northwestern improves to 2-0 in conference play, 7-0 overall, matching its best start since the 2011-12 season when they also started out 7-0.

Buysse matched his career-high with five three-pointers and also went a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line en route to his 21-point effort. Colton Kooima (19) and Riley Francis (15) were also in double figures and Nathan Wedel added nine points to go with 11 rebounds. Northwestern went a perfect 18-for-18 from the free throw line.

How It Happened...

Northwestern trailed by three early but a 23-4 run over an eight minute stretch in the first half gave the Red Raiders the lead for good. Three-pointers by Buysse and Wedel began the Red Raider surge and a basket by Chris Borchers put NW up 32-15 with seven minutes left in first half. Northwestern led 38-30 at the break.

Still an eight point game (43-35) early in the second half, Buysse and Kooima knocked down back-to-back three-pointers to put the Red Raiders back up by 16 (53-37). Northwestern extended its lead to as much as 23 (71-48), holding the Broncos to 35% shooting for the game.

By The Numbers...

Northwestern shot 44% for the game, 48% (12/25) from the three-point line; Hastings shot 35% from the field, 38% (6/16) from the three-point line

The Red Raiders had a big advantage on the glass (41-27), led by Wedel with a season-high 11; both Buysse and Spencer Pauley pulled down six boards each.

Parker Mulder dished out a season-high five assists, Wedel and Kooima each had four

Connor Musiel led Hastings with 14 points, followed by Jake Hansen with 10