Game Time... Northwestern looks to extend its win streak to five as they host 15th-ranked Dakota Wesleyan Wednesday night at the Bultman Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8pm. With four straight wins, the Red Raiders have climbed up to fifth place in the current league standings with a 6-5 record, 12-8 overall. DWU is tied with Jamestown for third place in the current GPAC standings with an 8-4 record, 14-5 overall. 

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The Rivalry...Northwestern owns a 46-28 lead in the all-time series and the teams have split the last 10 games, each winning on its home floor in the last four-plus seasons. 

Last Time...Northwestern came up short in its upset bid against No. 17 Dakota Wesleyan 88-75 in the GPAC opener for both teams played Nov.7 at the Corn Palace. 

Trent Hilbrands scored 20 points to lead the Red Raiders, making four three-pointers and going 4-for-4 from the free throw line. Craig Sterk continued his strong play coming off the bench with 14 points and seven rebounds. Parker Mulder came through with 13 points, six rebounds and three assists. 

Hilbrands and Mulder combined to hit a trio of three-pointers as the Red Raiders began the game with a 13-6 run. Dakota Wesleyan came back with a 15-0 surge, holding Northwestern scoreless for three-plus minutes, to take the lead for good, 21-13. The Red Raiders kept within contact, trailing by three late in the first half after successive three-pointers by Hilbrands and Kragt. DWU closed the first half strong however, and pushed the lead to seven (46-39) by intermission.

Isaac Heyer scored a lay-up and cut the DWU lead down to five at the start of the second half. The Tigers quickly built their lead back up to double digits with a 10-3 run and Northwestern would get no closer than nine over the final 20 minutes. 

Northwestern shot 42% for the game, 39% (13/33) from the arc. They held a slight edge, 37-35, on the boards, led by Hilbrands (8) and Sterk (7). Mulder dished out three assists.

Dakota Wesleyan shot 45% for the game and drained a season-high 20 three-pointers, shooting 44% from the three-point line. Both Ty Hoglund and Nick Harden made six three-pointers each en route to 30 and 27 points, respectively. Samuel McCloud scored all 12 of his points from the three-point line, making 4-of-8 three-pointers, and dished out six assists. 

Scouting Reports...

    #15 Dakota Wesleyan Tigers: 8-4 (T3rd), 14-5 overall            Head Coach: Matt Wilber (6th year)

DWU defeated Midland last time out (82-67), earning its third win in the last four games. They also have wins over St. Mary (Kan.) and #2 Morningside (86-82) during their current streak, losing only to (RV) Dordt on the road. The Tigers are tied with the University of Jamestown for third in the GPAC standings at 8-4, 1.5 games in front of Northwestern, and are14-5 overal.

Wilber, now in his sixth season as head of the DWU men's basketball program, returns two starters and six players from 2017-18 squad that finished with a 23-11 record. They lost to College of Idaho in the round of 16 at the national tournament and placed fourth in the GPAC regular season with an 11-7 record. DWU was picked third in the GPAC preseason poll.

By the Numbers: (GPAC rank / NAIA-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 91ppg (3rd)
    Scoring Defense: 79.7ppg (6th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 48% (T5th)
    3pt Percentage: 38%, (5th) 238 3pters (2nd / 3rd)
    Free Throw Percentage: 75% (4th)
    Rebound Margin: -2 (9th)

Top Players:  (GPAC rank / NAIA-if top 10)
    Ty Hoglund (2x all-GPAC)  26.9ppg (1st / 5th), 55 3pters (6th), 4.5rpg, 39 assists
    Nick Harden (transfer from Midland)  18.3ppg (7th), 29 3pters, 68 assists (3rd)
    Samuel McCloud (returner)  11.3ppg, 57 3pters (5th), 41% 3pt (9th), 5rpg
    Aaron Ahmadu - 9ppg, 26 3pters, 38% 3pt, 56 assists

    Northwestern College: 6-5 (5th), 12-8 overall                Head Coach: Kris Korver (19th year)

The Red Raiders have won a season-high four straight games heading into the mid-week match-up against DWU. Wins over Viterbo, Doane, Concordia and Mount Marty have propelled Korver's squad into fifth place in the current GPAC standings with a 6-5 record, 12-8 overall. 

Northwestern ranks second in the GPAC, sixth in the NAIA, in field goal percentage; they have shot better than their opponent in 14 of the 20 games played

The Red Raiders lead the GPAC and rank fifth in the NAIA in three-point percentage; they have made 10+ three's in 15 of 20 games played

Northwestern is the top rebounding team in the GPAC

Trent Hilbrands has scored in double figures in 18 of 20 games played; the sophomore has made a three-pointer in all but two games

Jay Small ranks second in the GPAC in three-pointers made (67); he has made a three-pointer in every game this season; has scored in double figures in 18 of 20 games, including 16 straight

Parker Mulder ranks fifth in the GPAC in rebounding, second in assists and is fourth in the GPAC with four double-doubles

By the Numbers: (GPAC rank, NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 90.1ppg (4th)
    Scoring Defense: 79.3ppg (5th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 52% (2nd / 6th)
    3pt Percentage: 42% (1st / 5th), 235 3pters (3rd / 8th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 76% (2nd)
    Rebound Margin: +9 (1st / 10th)

Top Players:  (GPAC rank; NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Trent Hilbrands - 19ppg (6th), 44 3pters (7th), 42% 3pt (9th), 62 assists (10th)
    Jay Small - 15.5ppg, 67 3pters (2nd / 10th), 46% 3pt (3rd), 4.4rpg
    Craig Sterk - 10.3ppg, 56% FG, 4.6rpg  
    Parker Mulder - 10.2ppg, 6.5rpg (5th), 79 assists (2nd)
    Steven Kragt - 10.2ppg, 24 3pters, 48% 3pt