Game Time...The Northwestern College men's basketball team makes the short trip to Sioux Center Wednesday night for the first of two rivalry match-ups against #25 Dordt University. Tip-off at the DeWitt Gym is scheduled for 8pm. Northwestern has won four straight games for a 5-1 overall record, 1-0 in the GPAC. The Defenders have lost two straight for a 4-3 overall record, 0-2 in the conference. 

    Follow the game live via the Dordt webcast at this link: Watch Now!  | Live Stats

    KSOU Radio | 

All-Time...Northwestern has won seven straight and is 8-2 in the last 10 games against the Defenders. The Red Raiders hold a decisive 80-31 advantage in the all-time series, dating back to the 1965-66 season.

Scouting Reports...

    No.25 Dordt University Defenders: 0-2 (T9th), 4-3 overall            Head Coach: Brian Van Haaften (2nd year)

The Defenders lost to a pair of ranked teams last week t open GPAC play, losing close games to Dakota Wesleyan and Morningside by a combined nine points. They are one of three conference teams tied for ninth place with an 0-2 record (Doane, Midland) and are 4-3 overall. Dordt has wins over Waldorf, Valley City State, Viterbo and Ozark Christian.

Van Haaften, now in his second year as head coach of the Defenders, returns three starters and 10 players from a 2018-19 team that finished tied for sixth in the GPAC with a 10-10 record, 19-13 overall. They lost to Jamestown in the GPAC semifinals last year and were picked fourth in this year's preseason poll. Van Haaften was a long time head coach at Buena Vista prior to coming to Dordt prior to the 2018-19 season.

By the Numbers: (GPAC rank, NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 85.6ppg (6th)
    Scoring Defense: 78.3ppg (7th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 46% (9th)
    3pt Percentage: 36% (8th), 63 3pters 
    Free Throw Percentage: 70% (8th)
    Rebound Margin: +5 (7th)

    Top Players:  (NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Garrett Franken (All-Conference) - 15ppg, 8.3rpg (4th), 12 assists
    Jesse Jansma - 13.6ppg, 16 3pters, 35% 3pt, 13 assists
    Zach Bussard (All-Conference)  10.4ppg, 4.9rpg
    Cade Bleeker - 9.9ppg, 15 3pters, 43% 3pt (10th)

    Northwestern College:  1-0 (GPAC), 5-1                Head Coach: Kris Korver (20th year)

Northwestern has won four straight since losing to Mayville State in its second game of the season. The Red Raiders have wins over Valley City State, Ozark Christian, Viterbo and Mount Marty, defeating the Lancers 99-84 last week in their GPAC opener.

    By the Numbers: (NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 95.8ppg (2nd, 9th)
    Scoring Defense: 67.2ppg (4th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 51% (3rd)
    3pt Percentage: 38%, (4th) 76 3pters (2nd,6th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 75% (T3rd)
    Rebound Margin: +10 (3rd)

    Top Players:  (NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Trent Hilbrands (All-American) - 20ppg, 21 3pters, 55% 3pt (1st), 3.1rpg, 17 assists
    Craig Sterk (All-Conference) - 14.6ppg, 7.8rpg, 8 blks (3rd)
    Jay Small (All-Conference) - 10ppg, 12 3pters, 4.2rpg, 10 assists
    Isaac Heyer - 9ppg, 57% FG, 4.3rpg, 12 assists