Northwestern College raced out to a 20+ point lead by halftime and held off a pesky Midland team in the second half, 67-54, in the final game of the regular season played this afternoon in Fremont, Neb.

The win ensures a share of the GPAC regular season title for the Red Raiders as they finish tied with Concordia with a 19-3 league record, 25-3 overall. This is the fifth GPAC Championship won by the Red Raiders and first since the 2013-14 season. They also claimed the regular season title in 2000-01, 2006-07, 2010-11 and 2013-14. 

Four Northwestern players scored in double figures, led by Sammy Blum with 15 points, going 3-for-6 from the three-point line. Bre Schuiteman contributed 13 points, also knocking down three three-pointers, and both Kassidy De Jong (11pts) and Haley Birks (10pts) were also in double figures. 

Head Coach Chris Yaw's squad raced out to a 7-0 lead and never trailed in this road contest. Leading 7-2, Northwestern scored the next 12 points, getting  three-pointers from Gustafson and Blum, for a 19-2 lead. Another three-pointer by Schuiteman put NWC up 22-4 before Midland scored the final basket of the quarter. 

The Red Raiders lead remained at 20+ points for most of the second quarter and an 11-6 run to close out the half put the visitors in front 41-18 by intermission. Northwestern shot 57% in the first half and held Midland to just seven field goals and 29% shooting.

Midland began the second half on a 9-0 run and would cut the lead down to 13 on two occasions. Five consecutive points by Taylor VanderVelde put Northwestern in front 52-34 with one minute left in the third quarter but Midland scored the final basket to put the score at 52-36.

A Birks jumper in the lane followed by a three-pointer by Schuiteman pushed the lead back up to 21 for Yaw's club. Leading by 19 (62-43), Midland made things interesting, closing to within 11 with 43 seconds left on a basket by Maddie Egr. 

Northwestern shot 54% for the game, 42% (10/24) from the three-point line. They held a slim 21-18 edge on the boards and were limited to only eight free throws, going 5-for-8. De Jong dished out six assists and VanderVelde nabbed four steals. 

Egr led Midland with 21 points, followed by Amanda Hansen with 20. No other Midland player scored more than three. The Warriors shot 42% for the game, 18% (3/17) from the arc.