Craig Sterk poured in 20 points and Trent Hilbrands netted a career-high 19 in leading Northwestern to a 112-41 home win over Oak Hills Christian in the season opener for both teams played today at the Bultman Center. 

Northwestern won its second straight season opener and improved to 13-6 under head coach Kris Korver in opening games.

Sterk, a redshirt freshman from McBain, Mich. made 8-of-10 field goal attempts and converted two free throws en route to a 20-point effort. Hilbrands scored 13 of his 19 points in the opening five minutes, going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Christian Korver scored all 12 of his points from the arc, making 4-of-6 from long range.

Northwestern shot 61% for the game, 67% (22/33) in the second half, and 10 players netted at least six points. The Red Raiders held a commanding 57-35 edge on the glass, led by Dalton Moser with six and both Sterk and Steven Kragt with five each.

Hilbrands put the Red Raiders in front 13-3 with his third three-pointer at the 16:35 mark but the Wolfpack came back its best run, an 8-4 surge, to get within six, 17-11. Northwestern put the game away, however, outscoring Oak Hills Christian 29-3 during a nine-minute stretch for a 43-14 lead at the four-minute mark. Jay Small (7), Sterk (6) and Korver (6) spearheaded the scoring run for NWC. 

Northwestern led 51-21 at the break, limiting the Wolfpack to 24% from the field, 13% (2/15) from the three-point line.

The Red Raiders missed just 11 shots over the final 20 minutes as they gradually built their lead up to over 70 points. 

Northwestern assisted on 28 of its 41 field goal attempts, led by Isaac Heyer, Tim Wager and Grant DeMeulenaere with five each. 

Oak Hills Christian was led by Derrick Wright with 11 points and four rebounds. 

Korver's squad will host Mayville State and Valley City State next weekend.