Darbi Gustafson poured in a career-high 29 points in leading No.8 Northwestern to a 99-58 road win over Dakota State in the season opener for both teams.
Gustafson made 12-of-23 field goal attempts and went 4-of-8 from the free throw line en route to her career-high. The senior also ripped down a game-high 13 rebounds, seven on the offensive end, for her 20th career double-double.
Northwestern scored the first 12 points of the game and opened up a 23-4 lead by the end of the first quarter. The Red Raiders forced Dakota State to miss its first six field goal attempts and into five turnovers during the opening six-plus minutes of the game.
Sammy Blum knocked down a three-pointer to spark a 10-0 Northwestern run at the start of the second quarter as the Red Raiders built up a 33-4 advantage.
Haley Birks and
Darbi Gustafson each had key baskets during this scoring run. A basket by
Alexis Toering put Coach Yaw's squad up 32 (43-11) at the four-minute mark and they led 47-20 by halftime.
Northwestern shot 47% in the opening half and limited the Lady T's to under 20%.
The Red Raiders continued to dominate in the second half, builiding up a 43-point lead (75-32) after a
Taylor VanderVelde basket completed a 7-0 run. DSU scored the final 11 points of the quarter to make it 75-43 by period's end.
Northwestern stretched the lead back up to 40+-points during the final quarter, shooting 47% over the final 20 minutes.
All five Red Raider starters scored in double figures as
Haley Birks scored 18 points, going a perfect 8-for-8 from the line.
Kassidy De Jong added 13 points and 10 boards, recording her 24th career double-double. Bre Schuiteman (11) and Blum (10) were also in double figures.
Northwestern shot 47% for the game and dominated the glass, outrebounding DWU 60-32. The Red Raiders pulled down 30 offensive boards and dished out 23 assists, led by De Jong with seven. Blum dished out a career-best six assists and Schuiteman drained 3-of-5 three-point attempts.
Dakota State was led by Jessi Giles with 11 points and Cheylee Nagel chipped in nine. DSU shot 28% for the game.
