Craig Sterk scored a career-high 21 points in the Red Raiders' 98-85 home loss to #15 University of Jamestown (N.D.) in a conference match-up played tonight at the Bultman Center. Northwestern drops to 10-9 in the GPAC, 16-12 overall, with one game left in the regular season.

Sterk drained a career-best five three-pointers and electrified the crowd with two thunderous dunks in scoring 21 points, one point more than his previous career-best against Oak Hills Christian. Parker Mulder accounted for 18 points and eight boards and Trent Hilbrands added 11 points in limited action. 

Northwestern fell behind big from the start as the visiting Jimmies outscored the hosts 17-4 over the first five-plus minutes. By the 10-minute mark, Jamestown extended its lead to 21 (30-9) and held its largest advantage, 48-22, with 5:17 left in the first half. Jamestown shot better than 65% while the Red Raiders were below 20% after the opening 15 minutes. 

The Red Raiders began to comeback, going on a 16-5 run capped by a three-point play by Mulder, to get within 15 just before the half. 

Jamestown pushed its lead back to 18 (66-48) before a 12-4 Northwestern run put the score at 70-60 on a lay-up by Chris Borchers. Both teams jostled for momentum over the next few minutes with the Red Raiders getting to within eight only to have Jamestown come back with five straight points to go back up by 13, 83-70, at the six-minute mark. 

Another Northwestern run, a 13-4 surge, made it a four-point game after two free throws by Mulder with 2:28 left. Jamestown converted 1-of-2 free throws on its next possession, giving the Red Raiders a chance to cut the lead down further but the hosts failed to convert as the Jimmies scored the next eight points to put the game away.

Northwestern shot 44% for the game, 49% during the final half, and 26% (8/31) from the three-point line. Coach Korver's squad held a slight edge on the glass, 41-37, led by Isaac Heyer with a career-high 11 rebounds. Grant DeMeulenaere dished out five assists and scored eight.

Jon Purintin scored a game-high 22 points, most coming during the final 10 minutes with the game on the line. Isaiah Dobson scored 20, doing most of his damage from beyond the arc, draining five three-pointers. Jack Talley (15) and Kevin Oberweiser (13) were the other top scorers for the Jimmies. Jamestown shot 51% for the game, 38% (11/29) from three-point range.