Colton Kooima scored a game-high 33 points in leading Northwestern to an 111-74 win over Dakota State this afternoon at the Bultman Center. The Red Raiders earned their 18th straight non-conference win at home and improve to 11-2 on the year. 

Northwestern shot 64% and raced out to a 63-45 lead by the end of the first half, led by Kooima who netted 23 in the opening 20 minutes of play. The Red Raiders held DSU to 27% shooting in the second half, preventing any sort of comeback. 

With his game-high 33 points, Kooima scored 30+ points for the second time this season and 13th for his career. The senior made 15-of-22 field goal attempts and also dished out six assists. Derek Buysse netted 19 points, 15 from beyond the arc, and Riley Francis, Nathan Wedel and Spencer Pauley all scored 11. Both Wedel and Pauley pulled down 10 rebounds and recorded double-doubles. 

Northwestern led from start to finish, outscoring DWU 10-4 to start the game. A three-pointer by Parker Mulder followed by a jumper by Grant Rohrer and Francis pushed the lead to 11 (32-21) at the 10-minute mark. Dakota State trimmed the lead down to seven (44-37), however, Northwestern closed the first half with a 19-8 run, ending with Kooima scoring 11 of his teams final 19 points, to take a 63-45 lead.

Dakota State made one final push, getting to within 16 (70-54) but Northwestern scored 17 of the next 19 points to go up 87-56 with 9:22 left and put the game away.

Northwestern shot 59% for the game, 35% (13/37) from beyond the arc, and outrebounded Dakota State 47-38. 

Kevin Daniels led Dakota State with 30 points, making 4-of-9 three-pointers.