Game Time...No.19 Northwestern College heads to California for a three-game road set against teams outside the NAIA at a Christmas Classic hosted by Vanguard University. All games will be played on the Vanguard campus in Costa Mesa, Calif. Play begins with a Tuesday night match-up against Thompson Rivers (Canada) at 6pm (CST), followed by a game against Westcliff (Calif.) on Wednesday at 4pm. The Red Raiders close their California trip with a Friday night match-up against Bethesda (Calif.) at 3pm (CST). 

    All games will be available online (video & stats) via the Vanguard webcast at this link: Watch Now!

    Vanguard Men's Basketball site | 

All-Time...Northwestern is 2-0 all-time against Bethesda, defeating the Flames in 2014 (89-73) and 2017 (90-72). The Red Raiders have not played Thompson Rivers or Westcliff in their history.

Scouting Reports...

    Thompson Rivers Wolfpack: 9-5            Head Coach: Scott Clark

Located in Kamloops, B.C., the Wolfpack play in the 17-team Canada West Conference. They have won five of their last seven games and are 9-5 overall. Thompson Rivers is 0-2 against NAIA teams, losing to Corban (80-51) and Northwest (70-66), in late October. They defeated Saskatchewan last time out, 92-85.

Thompson Rivers returns four starters and six players from a 2018-19 team that ended the year with a 6-14 record. 

    By the Numbers: 
    Scoring Offense: 84ppg
    Scoring Defense: 76.1ppg
    Field Goal Percentage: 47%
    3pt Percentage: 34%, 80 3pters 
    Free Throw Percentage: 82% 
    Rebound Margin: +5.5 

    Top Players:  
    Anton Bilous (returning starter) - 17.7ppg, 29 3pters, 39% 3pt, 4.1rpg
    Joe Davis (returning starter) - 17.4ppg, 56% FG, 6.1rpg, 31 steals
    Tyus De Vries (returning starter) - 12.9ppg, 20 3pters, 40% 3pt, 4.6rpg
    Michael Rouault (returning starter) - 12.6ppg, 8.7rpg, 14 steals

    Westcliff Warriors: 1-14            Head Coach: James Larson

The Warriors have lost six straight games since defeating Life Pacific 75-69 on Nov. 26. Nearly all of their games are against NAIA teams, including Eastern Oregon (109-81), Menlo (81-63), Benedictine (88-82), Hope International (88-49), Master's (90-61), Pacific Union (66-55), Cal Maritime (79-68). 

Westcliff is located in Irvine, Calif. and is an affiliate member of the NAIA. No season stats are available.

    Bethesda Flames: 2-11                Head Coach: Leo Boloyon

Located in Anaheim, Calif. Bethesda is part of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA). They have lost four straight games since earning back-to-back wins against Life Pacific and SAGU on Nov. 19 and 23. The Flames lost to Pomona Pitzer last time out, 96-51, on Dec. 7.

Bethesda returns five players from last year's squad.

    By the Numbers: 
    Scoring Offense: 66ppg
    Scoring Defense: 84.8ppg
    Field Goal Percentage: 36%
    3pt Percentage: 33%, 105 3pters 
    Free Throw Percentage: 69% 
    Rebound Margin: -15 

    Top Players:  
    Josiah Woods - 14.3ppg, 38 3pters, 44% 3pt
    Eric LaShawn Hamilton - 13ppg, 13 3pters, 7.7rpg
    Jonathan Akharoh - 10.5ppg
    Igli Pirgu (returner) - 7ppg, 19 3pters

No.19 Northwestern Red Raiders: 11-2 overall        Head Coach: Kris Korver (20th year)

The Red Raiders have won six straight games and are currently ranked 19th in the NAIA D-II Coaches' poll. They are 11-2 overall and have defeated Jamestown, Peru State, Dickinson State, Briar Cliff, Hastings and Midland during their current streak.

    By the Numbers: (NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 93.2ppg (5th)
    Scoring Defense: 76ppg
    Field Goal Percentage: 50%
    3pt Percentage: 38%, 154 3pters 
    Free Throw Percentage: 77% (8th)
    Rebound Margin: +8

    Individual Leaders:
    Trent Hilbrands - 17.5ppg, 36 3pters, 38 assists, 12 games w/ 10+ points
    Jay Small - 15.9ppg, 40 3pters, 6.2rpg, 42 assists, 10 games w/ 10+ points
    Craig Sterk - 14.6ppg, 6.8rpg, 18 blocks, 10 games w/ 10+points
    Grant Rohrer - 11.6ppg, 67% FG, 4.6rpg, 7 games w/ 10+ points
    Isaac Heyer - 8.4ppg, 4.6rpg, 27 assists, 7 games w/ 10+ points