Game Time...Northwestern begins postseason play on the road against 18th-ranked Dakota Wesleyan Wednesday night, Feb. 20. Tip-off at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, S.D. is scheduled for 8pm. Northwestern finished fifth in the GPAC with an 11-9 record, earning the fifth seed in the 8-team postseason conference tournament. They are 17-12 overall. DWU is the No.4 seed after finishing in fourth place with a 13-7 record, 21-8 overall. 

Listen to the game live, via the Sioux County Radio broadcast: Listen Now!

Watch the game live, via the DWU broadcast, at this link: Watch Now!

All-Time...Northwestern leads the all-time series 47-28; teams have split the last 10 games, however, including this season.

Earlier This Year...The Red Raiders lost to DWU 88-75 in the first match-up played this season on Nov. 7 at the Corn Palace. Northwestern came back with an 80-77 overtime win at home on Jan. 16. 

By the numbers from those two games, Northwestern shot 43% from the field, 29% (17/59) from the 3-point line. DWU shot 42% from the floor, 32% (26/82) from the three-point line. Northwestern had a +5 advantage on the boards in the two games combined. 

Individually, Craig Sterk and Trent Hilbrands led the Red Raiders in scoring, both averaging 15.5 points per game. Parker Mulder (14.5) and Jay Small (10) were the other top scorers. DWU was led by Ty Hoglund who averaged 28.5 points per game, draining 7-of-19 three-point attempts, and Nick Harden at 23.5 points per game. 

Scouting Reports...

    #18 Dakota Wesleyan Tigers: 13-7 (4th), 21-8 overall            Head Coach: Matt Wilber (6th year)

DWU has won four straight games, closing the regular season with wins over Mount Marty, Concordia, Valley City State and Doane. They earned the No.4 seed and are one of four teams from the GPAC to be ranked in the top 25. DWU is 21-8 on the season.

Wilber, now in his sixth season as head of the DWU men's basketball program, returns two starters and six players from 2017-18 squad that finished with a 23-11 record. They lost to College of Idaho in the round of 16 at the national tournament and placed fourth in the GPAC regular season with an 11-7 record. DWU was picked third in the GPAC preseason poll.

By the Numbers: (GPAC rank / NAIA-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 86.8ppg (4th)
    Scoring Defense: 77.1ppg (4th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 46% (8th)
    3pt Percentage: 36%, (7th) 343 3pters (2nd / 5th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 75% (5th)
    Rebound Margin: -2 (9th)

Top Players:  (GPAC rank / NAIA-if top 10)
    Ty Hoglund (2x all-GPAC)  26.1ppg (1st / 5th), 81 3pters (7th), 42% 3pt (6th),4.2rpg, 67 assists
    Nick Harden (transfer from Midland)  17.9ppg (6th), 43 3pters, 103 assists (3rd), 75 steals (1st / 2nd)
    Samuel McCloud (returner)  9.5ppg, 76 3pters, 39% 3pt, 5.1rpg
    Aaron Ahmadu - 9.4ppg, 37 3pters, 33% 3pt, 76 assists

    Northwestern College: 11-9 (5th), 17-12                Head Coach: Kris Korver (19th year)

The Red Raiders closed the regular season with a 105-99 overtime win over Midland last weekend, clinching the fifth seed in the GPAC Tournament. They are 4-4 over their last eight games, alternating wins and losses since mid-January.

By the Numbers: (GPAC rank, NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 87.7ppg (3rd)
    Scoring Defense: 80.8ppg (8th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 50% (3rd / 10th)
    3pt Percentage: 39% (3rd), 317 3pters (4th / 10th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 77% (2nd)
    Rebound Margin: +7 (1st)

Top Players:  (GPAC rank; NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Trent Hilbrands - 18.6ppg (5th), 61 3pters, 41% 3pt (8th), 69 assists
    Jay Small - 13.9ppg, 81 3pters (9th), 39% 3pt (3rd), 4.2rpg
    Parker Mulder - 11.5ppg, 6.8rpg (6th), 117 assists (2nd)
     Craig Sterk - 10.5ppg, 52% FG, 4.5rpg
    Steven Kragt - 9.9ppg, 33 3pters, 38% 3pt