Game Time...Northwestern and Briar Cliff renew their long-standing rivalry when the two meet for a GPAC men's basketball match-up Wednesday night, Jan. 22. Tip-off at the Bultman Center is scheduled for 8pm. Northwestern is alone in fifth place in the current GPAC standings with a 6-5 record, 14-7 overall; the Chargers are in 10th place in the conference at 2-9, 11-10 overall.

    Follow the game live via the NWC webcast at this link: Watch Now | Live Stats

All-Time...Northwestern is 62-52 all-time against the Chargers in a rivalry that dates back to the 1967-68 season. The Red Raiders are 2-3 in the last five games against BCU, including an 85-83 overtime win earlier this season in Sioux City.

    Last Five vs BCU:
    2019-20: 85-53 (OT) win
    2018-19: 96-73 win
                   83-92 loss
    2017-18: 81-92 loss
                   83-98 loss

Last Time vs the Chargers... Trent Hilbrands scored a game-high 25 points in leading Northwestern to  an 85-83 overtime road victory against Briar Cliff in a GPAC match-up played Dec.4 in Sioux City, Iowa. 

Down four (76-72) with just over a minute left in regulation, Hilbrands knocked down his fourth three-pointer of the game and was fouled, converting the free throw to tie the game at 76 with 45 seconds left. Both teams missed on their chances to win the game on their final possessions, sending the game into overtime. 

A three-pointer by Jackson Lamb at the start of the extra period put Briar Cliff up for the final time, 79-76. The Red Raiders answered with a 7-0 run on consecutive baskets by Craig Sterk and a three-pointer by Keegan Van Egdom for a 83-79 lead with three minutes left. Another Chargers three-pointer, this time from Conner Groves, made it a one point game (83-82) with one minute left but Hilbrands and Jay Small both made 1-of-2 free throws during the final moments to seal the win.

Northwestern shot 41% for the game, 33% (11/33) from the arc, and was led by Hilbrands with 25 points, his fourth 20+ point game of the season. Van Egdom scored 14 and both Sterk and Small netted 12 to give the Red Raiders four players in double figures. Northwestern won the game on the boards with a commanding 50-39 edge, limiting BCU to just two offensive rebounds. Sterk pulled down 12, his fourth double-double of the season, and Small grabbed 10 to record his second double-double. 

    Complete Recap | 

Scouting Reports...

    Briar Cliff Chargers: 2-9 (10th), 11-10 overall            Head Coach: Mark Svagera (3rd year)

The Chargers have lost four in a row after winning three straight over the Holiday break. Since its 90-87 home win over Hastings, BCU has lost to Midland, Doane, Jamestown and Concordia, all in GPAC play, to fall to 2-9 in the conference, 11-10 overall. They opened the season with a 7-0 record but then lost five straight prior to the break.

Now in his third year as the Chargers head coach and ninth season within the program, Svagera returns two starters and nine players from a 2018-19 team that lost in the national quarterfinals to Marian (Ind.) and finished 22-9. They were picked fifth in the GPAC preseason coaches poll. 

    By the Numbers: (GPAC rank / NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 87.4ppg (2nd)
    Scoring Defense: 82.5ppg (10th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 49% (3rd)
    3pt Percentage: 40% (1st/7th), 273 3pters (2nd / 3rd)
    Free Throw Percentage: 77% (1st / 7th)
    Rebound Margin: -3 (10th)

    Top Players:  (NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Jackson Lamb (All-American) - 23.3ppg (1st/7th), 74 3pters (1st/5th), 6.8rpg (6th), 44 assists
    Ethan Freidel (2x All-Conf) - 15.6ppg, 29 3pters, 39% 3pt
    Jaden Kleinhesselink (All-Conf) - 11.9ppg, 36 3pters, 49% 3pt (4th), 6rpg (9th)
    Austin Roetman - 10ppg, 53% FG, 5.1rpg

    Northwestern Red Raiders: 6-5 (5th), 14-7            Head Coach: Kris Korver (20th year)

Northwestern has lost three straight and four of its last five heading into Wednesday night's match-up against the Chargers. They are fifth in the GPAC with a 6-5 record, 1/2 game in front of Dordt and one game behind Concordia.

    By the Numbers: (GPAC rank / NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 86.9ppg (4th)
    Scoring Defense: 76.8ppg (5th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 48% (5th)
    3pt Percentage: 38% (7th), 242 3pters (3rd/ 5th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 74% (6th)
    Rebound Margin: +5 (4th)

    Top Players:  (NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Trent Hilbrands (All-American) - 17.6ppg (7th), 63 3pters (4th), 46% 3pt (7th), 50 assists
    Jay Small (All-Conference) - 15.1ppg, 61 3pters (6th), 5.9rpg, 59 assists
    Craig Sterk (All-Conference) - 13.8ppg, 59% (2nd/10th), 21 3pters, 5.8rpg, 26 blks (3rd)
    Grant Rohrer - 11.2ppg, 69% FG, 5.5rpg