Anna Kiel scored a game-high 20 points and Northwestern used a big second quarter to get past No.22 Friends (Kan.) in an opening round match-up played this morning at the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship.

NAIA Press Release | 

Tied 14-14 at the end of the first quarter, Northwestern outscored the Falcons 23-12 in the second period to open up a 37-26 lead. Renee Maneman scored a lay-up to begin the quarter and consecutive baskets by Darbi Gustafson followed by free throws by Kiel brought the lead to 10. Northwestern extended its advantage to 11 by halftime, 37-26. 

Six consecutive points to start the half, finished off by a basket by Haley Birks, pushed the Northwestern lead to as many as 17 (43-26). Friends outscored the Red Raiders 16-10 over the final eight minutes as teams played even in the third quarter to put the score at 53-42 going into the final period. 

Northwestern led throughout the final 10 minutes but a late 9-3 surge by Friends made it just a one possession game, 77-74, with 18 second left. Birks and Kassidy De Jong both converted a pair of free throws down the stretch for a final score of 81-74.

Coach Yaw's squad shot 48% for the game, 15% from beyond the arc, converting just 2-of-13 three-point attempts. Kiel totaled 20 points and six rebounds before fouling out late in the fourth quarter. De Jong netted 16 points and pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds, leading a 46-33 edge on the boards for the Red Raiders. Birks (13), Maneman (12) and Gustafson (12) were also in double figures. Northwestern made 29 free throws (92%) compared to 11 by the Falcons. 

Friends shot 38% for the game, 23% (5/22) from the three-point line, but forced Northwestern into 26 turnovers. Makenzie Vining and Yowana Posey both scored 19 points to lead the Falcons, who close the season with a 24-9 record.