Game Time...The Northwestern College women's basketball team begins a rugged three-game stretch against teams ranked within the top 10 on Wednesday night, Jan. 29, when they play at No.3 Concordia. Tip-off for the conference match-up in Seward, Neb. is set for 6pm. 

Ranked 17th in the last NAIA Coaches' poll released two weeks ago, Northwestern is tied with Jamestown for sixth place in the GPAC with a 7-7 record, 12-7 overall. Concordia, ranked third in the last poll, has won six straight and is 13-1 in the GPAC, 20-2 overall. 

    Listen to the game via KSOU radio: Listen Now

    Follow the game live via the Concordia webcast (fee required): Watch Now!

All-Time...Northwestern is 25-41 all-time against the Bulldogs, dating back to the 1987-88 season. They are just 1-9 in the last 10 meetings against Concordia, losing 97-81 to the Bulldogs earlier this month and going 1-2 during the 2018-19 season.

    Last Four vs Concordia:
    2019-20: lost 97-81
    2018-19: lost 93-85
    2018-19: won 81-75
    2018-19: lost 82-79 (NAIA semifinals)

Last Time vs Concordia...Northwestern College opened the new year with a 97-81 loss to No.1 Concordia in a GPAC match-up between ranked teams played Jan. 2 at the Bultman Center. 

Alexis Toering led Northwestern with 16 points, going 6-for-11 from the field, to go with six rebounds. Sammy Blum scored 13 points and both Taylor VanderVelde and Devyn Kemble contributed 12 points each. Northwestern shot 48% from the field, just 26% (6/23) from the three-point line, and held a slim 35-34 advantage on the glass. Jada Cunningham played a solid floor game with a career-best nine assists. 

Grace Barry led all players with 18 points and dished out nine assists as the Bulldogs' floor general. All-American forward Philly Lammers scored 17 points to go with six boards and Riley Sibbel and (15) and Mackenzie Koepke (13) were also in double figures. Concordia, the NAIA's top team in forcing turnovers (35/game), forced Northwestern into 24 while committing 19 of their own.

    Complete Recap | 

Scouting Reports...

    No.3 Concordia Bulldogs: 13-1 (2nd), 20-2 overall        Head Coach: Drew Olson (14th year)

Since losing to Hastings earlier this year on Jan.8, 66-59, the Bulldogs have won six straight, including wins over ranked teams, Jamestown and Morningside. They are 13-1 in the GPAC, one game in back of first place and unbeaten Hastings, 20-2 overall. Concordia will host the Broncos in two weeks in the team's second match-up.

Olson is in his 14th season as the head of the Concordia women's basketball program and returns three starters and 12 players from a 2018-19 team that defeated Southeastern 67-59 to win its first ever national championship. Olson was named the NAIA Coach of the Year last season and has guided the Bulldogs to a pair of national runner-up finishes (2015 and 2018). Concordia was picked first in the GPAC preseason poll.

By the Numbers: (GPAC rank / NAIA rank if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 93.4ppg (1st / 2nd)
    Scoring Defense: 60.2ppg (2nd)
    Field Goal Percentage: 45% (4th)
    3pt Percentage: 34% (4th), 249 3pters (1st/3rd)
    Free Throw Percentage: 67% (9th)
    Rebound Margin: -2 (8th)

*Concordia leads the NAIA in steals (484) and turnover margin (+16)

Top Players:  
    Grace Barry (All-Conf) - 13.2ppg (10th), 134 assists (1st / 4th), 77 steals (1st/3rd)
    Philly Lammers (3x All-American) - 13.1ppg, 50% FG (3rd), 6.6rpg (6th), 20 blocks (9th)
    Mackenzie Koepke (All-Conf) - 8.2ppg, 46 3pters (4th), 34% 3pt
    Taylor Farrell - 7.8ppg, 31 3pters, 52% 3pt (1st / 3rd)
    Riley Sibbel - 7.3ppg, 26 3pters, 48 steals (10th)

No.17 Northwestern Red Raiders: 7-7 (T6th), 12-7        Head Coach: Chris Yaw (9th year)

The Red Raiders lost to Briar Cliff last time out, 77-67, at home on Jan.22 before their bye weekend. They are 1-4 in their last five games, defeating College of Saint Mary (99-59) for their lone victory and lost to ranked teams, Dakota Wesleyan, Mount Marty and also to Mount Marty. Northwestern is tied with Jamestown for sixth place in the current GPAC standings at 7-7, 12-7 overall, one game in back of Dakota Wesleyan.

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

Top Players:  
    Sammy Blum (All-Conf) - 14.1ppg (8th), 46% FG, 42 3pters (5th), 64 assists (6th)
    Alexis Toering - 10.8ppg, 7.6rpg (1st), 50 steals (8th)
    Devyn Kemble - 10.5ppg, 28 3pters, 34% 3pt (10th)
    Bre Schuiteman - 10.4ppg, 41 3pters (6th), 39% 3pt (6th)
    Taylor VanderVelde - 7.7ppg, 13 3pters, 4.8rpg, 68 assists (5th)