Northwestern's late comeback falls short in an 86-82 defeat against (RV) Concordia in a GPAC match-up played tonight in Seward, Neb. 

The Red Raiders are now 7-6 in the GPAC and fall back to sixth place in the current GPAC standings at 7-6, 15-8 overall; Concordia continues to ascend in the conference standings and improves to 8-5 in league play, 17-6 overall. 

Down 22 (64-40) with 12 minutes left to go, a Dalton Moser three-pointer initiated a 14-2 run to put Northwestern within striking distance, 66-54, at the 8:47 mark. The teams traded baskets over the next five minutes, until, with the Red Raiders still behind 13 (80-67), a 15-4 surge made it a two-point game with 30 seconds left, 84-82. Grant DeMeulenaere had nine points during the run, including two three-pointers and three free throws. 

Concordia guard Carter Kent made one free throw to put the hosts up 85-82 with 13 seconds left and Northwestern missed two potential game-tying three-pointers during the final seconds. 

Trent Hilbrands led a balanced Red Raider scoring effort with 15 points, followed by Jay Small and Craig Sterk with 13 points each. DeMeulenaere added 12 points, five assists and Noah Slagter contributed nine points, a career-high eight boards and four assists. 

Eight lead changes and four ties highlighted the first 13 minutes as neither team went on an extended run. With Northwestern leading 32-30, Concordia outscored the Red Raiders 13-1 over the final seven minutes for a 43-33 halftime lead. Bulldogs guard Justin Wiersema knocked down consecutive three-pointers to begin the rally. 

A basket by Small and a three-pointer from Keegan Van Egdom put Northwestern within eight, 46-38, in the opening moments of the second half. Concordia responded with another big run, outscoring NWC 18-2 over the next six minutes to take its largest lead, 64-40, with 13 minutes left. 

Northwestern shot 39% for the game, 41% (14/34) from beyond the arc; Concordia was just a bit better in its shooting, going 45% from the field and 49% (18/37) from the three-point line. 

Tanner Shuck led all players with 23 points, draining 5-of-8 three-pointers. Brevin Sloup also put down five three-pointers en route to 19 points. Kent (14pts) and Wiersema (13pts) were also in double figures. 

The host Bulldogs had the edge in rebounding (45-42) but Northwestern committed two fewer turnovers (10-8).