Game Time...17th-ranked Northwestern returns to its home court for the second time in three days for a GPAC match-up Wednesday night, Jan. 22. Tip-off is scheduled for 6pm. Northwestern is alone in sixth place in the current GPAC standings with a 7-6 league record, 12-6 overall; BCU is in 10th place in the GPAC at 2-10, 5-15 overall. 

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

All-Time...Northwestern has won six straight games in the long-standing rivalry, and is 7-3 over the last 10 match-ups. The Red Raiders lead the all-time series 57-35 against the Chargers, dating back to the 1976-77 season. 

        Last Five vs BCU:
        2019-20: 75-56 win
        2018-19:  87-65 win
                        76-41 win
        2017-18: 78-57 win
                       73-57 win
        
Last Time vs BCU...11th-ranked Northwestern outscored Briar Cliff 23-9 in the third quarter en route to a 75-56 road win in a conference match-up played in Sioux City on Dec. 4.

Down 29-21, the Red Raiders used a 12-0 run to outscore Briar Cliff 14-5 over the final five minutes of the first half to take a 35-34 lead into halftime. Sammy Blum started the comeback with a three-pointer and Alexis Toering and Taylor VanderVelde combined for nine points during the run.  

Northwestern put the game away in the third quarter, limiting the host Chargers to just two field goals while taking a 58-43 advantage. The Red Raiders led by at least 12 for the entirety of the fourth quarter where they extended their lead to 19 by game's end, 75-56.

The Red Raiders shot 41% for the game, 36% (12/33) from the arc, and were led by Alexis Toering with 15 points and nine boards. Jada Cunningham came off the bench to score 13, making all three of her three-point attempts, and both VanderVelde and Blum scored 12. Bre Schuiteman rounds out the top scorers with 10. 

    Complete Recap | 

Scouting Report...

    Briar Cliff Chargers: 2-10 (10th GPAC), 5-15 overall        Head Coach: Mike Power (20th year)

The Chargers have dropped two straight and are just 1-4 since the new year, earning a 71-51 road win over Doane for its lone victory. Losses to Hastings, Midland, Jamestown and Concordia over the last three weeks have moved BCU down to 10th place in the GPAC at 2-10, 5-15 overall. Their other GPAC win is against Mount Marty (79-72) on Nov. 20.

Long-time coach Mike Power is in his 20th season in two separate stints with the Chargers program. This is his 14th consecutive year on the bench, taking over in 2006-07. Power has guided Briar Cliff to nine national tournaments and returns two starters, five players from a 2018-19 team that finished eighth in the GPAC with a 9-13 record, 15-16 overall. They were picked ninth in the GPAC preseason poll. 

    By the Numbers: (GPAC rank, NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 66.4ppg (10th)
    Scoring Defense: 78.5ppg (10th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 40% (7th)
    3pt Percentage: 29% (11th), 117 3pters (12th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 73% (5th)
    Rebound Margin: -7 (11th)

    Top Players:  (GPAC rank, NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Konnor Sudmann - 17.2ppg (4th), 4.3rpg, 48% FG (10th), 42 assists
    Madelyn Deitchler - 13.3ppg (10th), 6.3rpg (9th), 35 assists
    Alyssa Carley (All-Conference) - 11.2ppg, 34 3pters (9th)
    Payton Slaughter - 7.5ppg, 3.5rpg, 44 assists

    #17 Northwestern Red Raiders: 7-6 (6th), 12-6            Head Coach: Chris Yaw (9th year) 

The Red Raiders defeated College of Saint Mary Monday night, 99-59, to end a three-game losing skid. Sammy Blum scored 24 points, making a team-high five three-pointers, and was one of four players to reach double figures for Coach Yaw's squad. Defensively, Northwestern forced 38 turnovers to earn their 12th win of the season and seventh in GPAC play. They are 1/2 game ahead of Jamestown in the current GPAC standings. 

By the Numbers: (GPAC rank, NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 82.9ppg (4th)
    Scoring Defense: 65.3ppg (4th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 44% (5th)
    3pt Percentage: 37% (1st / 7th), 183 3pters (3rd / 9th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 76% (2nd / 8th)
    Rebound Margin: +2 (4th)

    Top Players:  (NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Sammy Blum (All-Conference) - 14.1ppg (7th), 3.7rpg, 42 3pters (T3rd), 64 assists (6th)
    Alexis Toering - 10.8ppg, 7.6rpg (1st), 50 steals (6th)
    Devyn Kemble - 10.5ppg, 28 3pters, 2.9rpg
    Bre Schuiteman - 10.4ppg, 41 3pters (5th), 39% 3pt (6th), 3.1rpg