Game Time... No.5 Northwestern plays host to (RV) Briar Cliff for a mid-week match-up in conference play between ranked teams. Tip-off is set for 6pm at the Bultman Center. On a seven-game win streak, Northwestern currently sits in third place within the GPAC with a 6-1 record, 10-1 overall. Briar Cliff is currently eighth in the conference with a 3-5 record, 7-5 overall. 

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

All-Time...Northwestern leads the all-time series 54-35 and has won three of the last five games against BCU. The Red Raiders swept both games last year, winning 78-57 at home and 73-57 in a match-up played in Sioux City. 

Scouting Reports...

    (RV) Briar Cliff Chargers:  3-5 (GPAC), 7-5 overall            Head Coach: Mike Power (19th Year)

The Chargers have a modest two-game win streak heading into Wednesday night's game against the Red Raiders. Wins over College of Saint Mary and Dakota State have put the Chargers in eighth place in the GPAC with a 3-5 league record, 7-5 overall. BCU is 2-5 against ranked teams so far this season.

In his second stint and 19th overall season as the BCU head coach, Power returns two starters and seven players from a 2017-18 team that finished eighth in the GPAC with a 7-13 record, 10-21 overall. 

By the Numbers:  (GPAC rank / NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 74.4ppg (6th)
    Scoring Defense: 69.2 (9th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 41% (8th)
    3pt Percentage: 35% (5th), 99 3pters (3rd)
    Free Throw Percentage: 65% (10th)
    Rebound Margin: -3 (11th)
    
Top Players:  (GPAC rank / NAIA rank-if top 10)
Alyssa Carley - 12ppg, 31 3pters (4th), 40 3pt % (7th), 26 assists
Logan Ehlers (All-Conference) 11.4ppg, 10 3pters, 6.9rpg (7th), 18 blocks (3rd)
Taylor Wagner - 11.1ppg, 52 assists (6th)
Madelyn Deitchler - 10.3ppg, 6.3rpg (9th)

#5 Northwestern College: 6-1 (GPAC), 10-1            Head Coach: Chris Yaw (8th year)

One of nine teams from the GPAC currently recognized in the NAIA D-II Coaches' poll, Northwestern has won seven straight to move up to third in the GPAC standings with a 6-1 record, 10-1 overall. They are 5-1 against ranked teams this season, earning wins over Valley City State, Morningside, Dordt, Midland and University of Jamestown. Northwestern's only setback was a three-point loss on the road against No.2 Dakota Wesleyan.

The Red Raiders have outrebounded their opponent in all but three games; they have shot better than their opponent in all but two games

Kassidy De Jong (8th), Darbi Gustafson (21st) and Haley Birks (27th) have all scored 1,000+ points in their career

Both De Jong and Gustafson have scored in double figures in every game this season; Gustafson leads the team with six double-doubles

By the Numbers: (GPAC / NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 89.3ppg (1st / 3rd)
    Scoring Defense: 67.9ppg (6th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 49% (1st / 1st)
    3pt Percentage: 37% (1st / 7th), 83 3pters (7th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 78% (2nd / 8th)
    Rebound Margin: +13 (1st / 5th)

Top Players:  (GPAC / NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Kassidy De Jong (3x All-American)  20.1ppg (2nd / 6th), 51% FG (7th), 28 3pters (5th), 7.7rpg (3rd)
    Darbi Gustafson (2x All-Conference)  19.7ppg (3rd / 7th), 58% FG (4th / 9th), 8.8rpg (1st)
    Haley Birks (3x All-Conference)  15.5ppg (7th), 87% FT (2nd), 4.2rpg
    Sammy Blum - 9.4ppg, 22 3pters (9th), 38 assists (8th)
    Bre Schuiteman - 7.5ppg, 15 3pters, 35% 3pt

Up Next... Northwestern travels to Hastings, Neb. for a showdown against the Broncos on Saturday, Dec. 15 in its final game before Christmas break.