Trent Hilbrands poured in a career-high 36 points to lead Northwestern past Mount Marty 99-84 in the GPAC opener for both teams.
Northwestern, now 5-1 on the season, earned its fourth consecutive victory; the Lancers had their five-game win streak snapped and drop to 6-2.
Hilbrands converted 6-of-9 three-point attempts, went 12-for-12 from the free throw line and iced the game with strong drives to the basket en route to a new career high. The junior guard added five assists and pulled down four rebounds.
Jay Small and
Isaac Heyer scored 16 points, both season highs, and
Craig Sterk added 13 points to go with 10 rebounds for his second double-double.
Leading by three (78-75) with six minutes left, Hilbrands scored 14 points during a 16-2 run to put Northwestern in control, 94-77.
Northwestern shot 50% for the game, 46% (17/37) from beyond the arc and made 20-of-22 free throws (91%).
Chris King led the Lancers with 23 points, followed by Jordan Johnson with 15 and Colby Johnson with 10. Mount Marty shot 52% from the field, 44% (14/32) from the three-point line.
Back-to-back three-pointers by
Christian Korver put Northwestern in front 24-16 and a three-pointer by Small moments later put the hosts in front 27-18, their largest lead of the first half. Mount Marty, however, answered with a 23-9 surge at the close of the half to trim the lead down to four, 45-41, by halftime.
