No.2 Northwestern scored the final six points to knock off top-ranked Concordia 81-75 in a clash between the top two ranked teams in the NAIA played this afternoon at the Bultman Center. Both teams are now 15-3 in the GPAC and are tied for first place, along with Dakota Wesleyan, in the current GPAC standings with four games to go in the regular season. 

The Red Raiders are now 21-3 overall; Concordia is 23-3. Northwestern's win today snaps an eight-game losing streak to the Bulldogs. 

Tied at 75 with just over a minute left, Northwestern scored the final six points, all from the free throw line, and forced Concordia into three turnovers to over the final 45 seconds to get the win. Darbi Gustafson made 1-of-2 free throws on two separate trips to the line, giving Northwestern a 77-75 advantage with 17 seconds left. Following a timeout, Northwestern senior Haley Birks stole the the Concordia inbound pass and was immediately fouled where she drained two free throws. Birks recorded another steal on Concordia's next possession and subsequently made two additional free throws to make the final score 81-75.

Kassidy De Jong led the Red Raiders with 25 points and 13 rebounds, her eighth double-double of the season. Birks added 10 points and six rebounds and was perfect on all six free throw attempts. Both Bre Schuiteman and Taylor VanderVelde scored nine and Darbi Gustafson and Anna Kiel scored eight points each and combined for 15 rebounds and five assists. All eight of the Red Raiders that played contributed at least six points. 

The game looked to be a blowout early, dominated by the visiting Bulldogs in the first quarter. Concordia began the game with an 11-2 run and closed the first quarter with a 7-0 run to take a 21-6 lead. Northwestern made just two field goals (2/15) in the opening quarter and committed eight turnovers. 

Northwestern came back strong in the second, scoring the first seven points and taking its first lead (25-24) after a couple of free throws by Sammy Blum that capped a 19-3 run. Schuiteman knocked down a pair of three-pointers during the run and De Jong added seven points, including a three-pointer. The Red Raiders built up a four-point lead following another De Jong three-pointer only to have Concordia guard Mackenzie Koepke answer with a three just before the half to put the score at 35-34. 

The lead went back and forth five times early in the third quarter as both teams jostled for control. A basket by VanderVelde followed by free throws by Kiel began a 9-0 Northwestern run to put the hosts in front 58-49 with 1:38 left. The Red Raider held a 61-54 advantage at the third quarter break and built up a 10-point lead with eight minutes left in the game, 65-55. 

Concordia responded with a 14-5 run of its own, led by the duo of Grace Barry and Taylor Cockerill, who combined for seven of their teams points to make it a one-point game, 70-69. The Bulldogs regained the lead briefly, 74-73, on a free throw by Quinn Wragge but Northwestern came back to tie the game at 75 with 1:15 left. 

Northwestern shot 43% for the game and dominated the boards, 49-29, pulling down 16 on the offensive end. 

Concordia shot 39% for the game and forced the Red Raiders into 27 turnovers.. Cockerill led the Bulldogs with 28 points; Koepke added 14, 12 from beyond the arc, and Barry scored 11.