Trent Hilbrands scored 22 points in leading Northwestern to its third straight win, defeating Valley City State 103-56 in an afternoon match-up played today at the Bultman Center. 

Northwestern improves to 3-0 as they head into the GPAC opener this week. Valley City State drops its second consecutive game and moves to 3-2 on the year.

A day after scoring 29 in his team's win over Mayville State, Hilbrands followed with a 22-point effort, making 10-of-18 field goal attempts. He also dished out four assists to go with two steals. Craig Sterk netted 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting and pulled down six rebounds. Jay Small was also in double figures with 10 points, three rebounds and three assists. 13 different players scored, 10 of which had five points or more.

Tied at 34, Northwestern outscored the Vikings 19-8 over the final five-plus minutes of the first half to take a 53-42 lead into halftime. Hilbrands scored nine and Grant Rohrer netted five during the scoring run.

Northwestern dominated the second half, outscoring Valley City State 50-14 and limiting the Vikings to just six field goals and 0-for-11 from the three-point line. The Red Raiders scored the first 11 points of the second half, getting field goals by four different players, and then extended the lead to 82-44 after a three-pointer by Small with 10:55 left to go.

Coach Korvers' squad shot better than 50% in each half and 51% for the game. They held a commanding 54-37 edge on the boards, led by Rohrer with eight and Sterk with six. Northwestern assisted on 23 of its 44 field goals, led by shifty freshman point guard Grant DeMeulenaere with a career-best eight.

Valley City State shot 32% for the game and was led by Chris Morgan with 14 points.

Northwestern begins conference play on the road Wednesday night against Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell, S.D.