Game Time... The Northwestern College men's basketball team returns to action after a seven-day layoff when they host Concordia in a GPAC match-up this weekend. Tip-off on Saturday, Feb. 2, is slated for 4pm. Northwestern is in fifth place in the current GPAC standings with an 8-7 record, 14-10 overall. Concordia is in eighth place in the conference at 6-10, 14-12 overall. 

Follow the game live via the NWC webcast at the following link: Watch Now!

All-Time...Northwestern leads the all-time series 51-21, dating back to the 1960-61 season. The Red Raiders have won six straight in the rivalry and hold a 7-3 edge in the last 10 games. 

Earlier This Year...Craig Sterk netted a game-high 18 points in leading Northwestern to a 76-59 road win over Concordia in a match-up played on Jan. 5 in Seward, Neb.

Sterk provided the Red Raiders a spark off the bench, contributing 18 points and eight rebounds, one of four players to score in double figures. Trent Hilbrands scored 14, Jay Small added 13 and Parker Mulder tallied his fourth double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. 

Tied at 18 and later up by two (22-20), Northwestern outscored the host Bulldogs 24-8 over the final eight-plus minutes to take a 46-28 lead into halftime. Sterk, Grant DeMeulenaere and Christian Korver all knocked down a three-pointer and Mulder scored six points during the decisive run. Northwestern shot 58% in the opening half compared to 40% by the Bulldogs.

The Red Raiders pushed the lead to as many as 20 early in the second half and then played outstanding defense to prevent a Bulldogs comeback bid. Northwestern limited Concordia to 32% shooting in the final half.

Northwestern shot 46% for the game, 36% (8/22) from the three-point line, and dominated the boards (46-32). 

Concordia shot 36% for the game, led by by Tanner Shuck with 13 points and Brevin Sloup with 11.

Scouting Reports...

Concordia University Bulldogs: 6-10 (8th), 14-12        Head Coach: Ben Limback (5th year)

The Bulldogs are playing some of their best basketball of late, winning six of their last eight games to move up to eighth in the current GPAC standings at 6-10. Victories over Concordia (Ill.) and Dordt give the Bulldogs a two-game win streak coming into the showdown against NWC. They are two games over .500, coming in at 14-12. 

Limback, in his fifth season as the head of the Concordia program, returns one starter and four players from a 2017-18 squad that finished sixth in the GPAC with an 8-10 record, 17-13 overall. They were picked 10th in the GPAC preseason coaches' poll. 

By the Numbers: (GPAC rank / NAIA rank if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 73.6ppg (9th)
    Scoring Defense: 74.7ppg (3rd)
    Field Goal Percentage: 45% (10th)
    3pt Percentage: 36% (7th), 245 3pters (6th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 75% (4th)
    Rebound Margin: +1 (6th)

Top Players:  
    Brevin Sloup - 16.9ppg (9th), 76 3pters (6th), 42% 3pt (8th), 89 assists (7th)
    Tanner Shuck (All-Conference) - 13.9ppg, 71 3pters, 37% 3pt, 63 assists, 36 steals (6th)
    Carter Kent - 9.7ppg, 36 3pters, 55 assists
    Sammy Adjei - 6.4ppg, 5.2rpg

Northwestern College Red Raiders: 8-7 (5th), 14-10   Head Coach: Kris Korver (19th year)

The Red Raiders had their bye on Wednesday and have not played since falling to Doane 72-49 on the road last Saturday. They still are in fifth place in the current GPAC standings, holding a one game lead on Dordt with five games remaining in the regular season.

Northwestern is the top rebounding team in the GPAC;has outrebounded its opponent in 18 of 24 games played; they have been outrebounded in two straight (vs Dordt and vs Doane)

The Red Raiders have made 10+ 3pters in 17 games but made a season-low one three-pointer last time out

Hilbrands has scored in double figures in 22 of 24 games played; 11 20+  games

Small has scored in double figures in 20 games with five 20+ games

Mulder leads the team in rebounding, assists and double-doubles (5)

By the Numbers: (GPAC rank / NAIA rank if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 87.7ppg (5th)
    Scoring Defense: 79.4ppg (6th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 51% (2nd / 8th)
    3pt Percentage: 40% (4th), 265 3pters (4th / 10th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 76% (2nd)
    Rebound Margin: +7 (1st)

Top Players:  
    Trent Hilbrands - 18.7ppg (5th), 48 3pters, 39% 3pt, 67 assists 
    Jay Small - 14.4ppg, 70 3pters (7th), 40% 3pt, 4.4rpg
    Parker Mulder - 10.6ppg, 6.7rpg (5th), 90 assists (3rd)
    Steven Kragt - 10.3ppg, 33 3pters, 44% 3pt, 3.4rpg
    Craig Sterk - 9.4ppg, 4.3rpg