No. 19 Northwestern College defeated Hastings 100-78 in a GPAC Quarterfinal match-up played tonight in the Bultman Center. 

The Red Raiders improve to 24-6 on the season and advance to the GPAC semifinals for the first time since 2012-13. They will host 14th-ranked Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 3pm. DWU defeated Concordia 98-90 in a quarterfinal match-up played in Mitchell, S.D. 

Nathan Wedel scored 15 of his game-high 23 points in the final half and also pulled down 14 rebounds to lead Northwestern. Parker Mulder scored all of his career-high 14 points in the first half, going a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor. Jordan Baker and Riley Francis also netted 14 points each and Chris Borchers added 12, giving the Red Raiders five players in double figures.

How It Happened...

Both teams shot lights out in a high-scoring first half that saw the Red Raiders lead for all but 40 seconds. Northwestern shot 50% from the field, 55% (6/11) from the three-point line while Hastings also shot 50% from the floor and 54% (7/13) from beyond the arc over the first 20 minutes. 

Two free throws by Nathan Wedel and a jumper by Justin Van Kalsbeek put Northwestern on top 53-47 at the half. 

A 12-2 Northwestern surge put the hosts in front 74-56 by the 13:37 mark of the second half. Wedel scored 13 of his teams first 21 points of the half while both Borchers and Colton Kooima knocked down three-pointers during the run. 

Hastings made one final charge and after a 10-2 run, trailed 80-70 at the nine-minute mark after four straight points by senior guard Rich Williams. 

Northwestern scored the next eight points, however, to push the lead back to 18 and the Red Raiders buckled down defensively, holding Hastings to two field goals over the final 4:30. 

By the Numbers...

Northwestern continued to shoot well, going 38/68 from the field (56%) for the game, 40% (8/20) from the three-point line; Hastings shot 43% for the game, 30% (7/23) from the three-point line.

The Red Raiders held Hastings to 0-10 from beyond the arc in the second half. 

Northwestern outrebounded the Broncos 41-36, led by Wedel with a season-high 14. 

This was the eighth 100+-point game of the season for the Red Raiders

Wedel registered his third double-double of the season, ninth for his career; he moved past Dean Schnoes (1976-80) and into 37th place all-time in career scoring with 1,160pts

This was the first postseason win for the Red Raiders since defeating Dakota Wesleyan in the GPAC quarterfinals in 2012-13

Rich Williams led Hastings with 21 points, followed by Connor Musiel with 13; the Broncos end the season with a 14-17 overall record.