Game Time... No.8 Northwestern is set to play its third straight road game as they travel to Forest City, Iowa, for a non-conference match-up against Waldorf. Tip-off at the Hanson Fieldhouse is scheduled for 6pm. Winners of its last three games, all in conference play, the Red Raiders are 6-1 overall on the season. Waldorf has won two straight games since opening the season with an 0-3 record and is 2-3 overall. 

Follow the game live via the Waldorf webcast at this link: Watch Now!

Listen to the game live via Sioux County Radio, 93.9FM: Listen Now!

All-Time...The Red Raiders are 8-0 all-time against Waldorf, dating back to their first game played during the 2003-04 season. They last played in 2016-17 and resulted in an 81-42 win.

Scouting Report...

    Waldorf Warriors: 2-3                            Head Coach: Katie Schutjer (5th year)

The Warriors earned consecutive wins last weekend, defeating both Nebraska Christian (69-65) and Grinnell (60-35) on the road, to improve to 2-3 on the year. Prior to their modest win streak, they lost three straight to start the season, falling to Dordt, Mount Marty and Mount Mercy. 

Hired in the fall of 2014, Schutjer is in her fifth season as the Warriors head coach, coming to Waldorf after a three-year stint as assistant at Simpson. She returns four starters and four of her five top scorers from a 2018 team that finished tied for seventh in the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) at 3-13, 6-21 overall. They were picked to finish sixth out of seven teams in the conference preseason poll.

By the Numbers: (NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 62.4ppg
    Scoring Defense: 63.6ppg
    Field Goal Percentage: 37%
    3pt Percentage: 27%, 31 3pters  
    Free Throw Percentage: 67% 
    Rebound Margin: -4

Top Players:  (NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Taylor Fricke (all-conference) – 15ppg, 43% FG, 5.8rpg
    Morgan Straight (returning starter) - 12.4ppg, 38% 3pt, 10 steals
    Michaela Graffunder (returning starter) - 8.8ppg, 21 assists
   
No.8 Northwestern College: 6-1 overall    Head Coach: Chris Yaw (8th year)

The Red Raiders are on a three-game win streak for the second time this season, defeating College of Saint Mary, Mount Marty and Morningside during their recent streak. Kassidy De Jong was named the GPAC Player of the Week after averaging over 25 points per game and shooting 65% (11/17) from the three-point line. Northwestern is one of six teams from the GPAC to be ranked in the NAIA D-II preseason coaches' poll, opening the season ranked eighth. 

By the Numbers: (NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 90.9ppg (4th)
    Scoring Defense: 66.1ppg 
    Field Goal Percentage: 49% (3rd)
    3pt Percentage: 38.8% (9th), 60 3pters 
    Free Throw Percentage: 77% (9th)
    Rebound Margin: +14.5 (6th)

Top Players: (NAIA rank-if top 10) *returning starter
     *Kassidy De Jong (All-American) 20ppg (7th), 21 3pters, 8.6rpg     
     *Darbi Gustafson (All-Conference)  18.7ppg, 59%, 9.1rpg, 14 blocks     
     *Haley Birks (All-Conference) 14.7ppg, 90 FT %, 4.1rpg
     Sammy Blum - 10.1ppg, 16 3pters, 47% 3pt, 26 assists