Craig Sterk scored a game-high 17 points in No.19 Northwestern's 98-69 loss to top-ranked Morningside in a conference match-up between ranked teams played this afternoon in Sioux City, Iowa. 

Northwestern has lost two straight, three of its last four, to fall to 6-4 in the conference, 14-6 overall; Morningside, the last unbeaten team in the NAIA D-II, improves to 10-0 in the GPAC, 18-0 overall. 

A close game early, Morningside outscored Northwestern 22-7 to take a 39-35 advantage with 6:40 left in the first half. The Mustangs closed the half with 14-5 surge to take a 57-36 lead at the break. 

Morningside shot an impressive 69% in the first half compared to 45% by Northwestern; the Mustangs converted 7-of-11 three-point attempts over the first 20 minutes. 

Northwestern struggled shooting in the second half and did not get closer than 19 (80-61 at 9-minute mark) during the final 20 minutes. 

Sterk was one of three Red Raiders to score in double figures, making 6-of-10 field goal attempts for 17 points. Jay Small contributed 14 points, draining 4-of-9 three pointers, and Grant Rohrer came off the bench to score 11. Keegan Van Egdom dished out four assists for Head Coach Kris Korver's squad.

Morningside shot 64% for the game, led by Zach Imig with 15 points to got with five assists. Five more Mustang players scored in double figures; Trey Brown (14), Tyler Borchers (13), Ben Hoskins (13), Alex Borchers (12) and Will Pottebaum (10). 

The Mustangs held a dominant edge on the glass, 39-22, led by Matt Hahn with five.