Game Time...Ranked teams square off Wednesday night at the Bultman Center as No.12 Northwestern hosts 14th-ranked Dakota Wesleyan in conference action. Tip-off is scheduled for 6pm. Northwestern is tied for fourth place in the current GPAC standings with a 6-3 record, 11-3 overall. DWU is sixth in the current standings with a 5-4 record, 12-5 overall. 

Follow the game live by way of the NWC webcast at the following link: Watch Now!

All-Time...Wednesday nights game will be the 61st meeting between the two rivals with Northwestern holding a 39-21 advantage in the all-time series. The Red Raiders, however, are just 2-8 in their last 10 games against DWU, 1-4 in their last five. Last year, the teams split during the regular season, each winning on their respective home floor, and DWU earning a 75-66 win in the GPAC semifinals. 

    Last Year vs DWU:
    2018-19: 76-73 loss
    2018-19: 69-54 win
    2018-19: 75-66 loss
     
Scouting Reports...

    #14 Dakota Wesleyan Tigers: 5-4 (6th), 12-5            Head Coach: Jason Christensen (10th year)

With their 84-62 setback against 7th-ranked Morningside last time out, DWU dropped into sixth place in the GPAC standings with a 5-4 conference record, 12-5 overall. They are an even 2-2 in their last four games, losing also to Florida National over Christmas break and then defeating St.Xavier (Ill.) and College of Saint Mary (Neb.). Other losses in GPAC play are to Dordt, Jamestown and Concordia; wins are against Midland, Briar Cliff, Mount Marty and Doane.

Christensen is in the midst of his 10th season as the Tigers head coach, accumulating over 200 wins during his time and being the program's all-time leader in victories. He guided the 2017-18 team to the NAIA D-II National Title and returns three starters, six players from last year's squad that lost to Southeastern (Fla.) in the national semifinals to finish with a 31-6 overall record. 

    By the Numbers: (GPAC rank / NAIA rank if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 78.2ppg (6th)
    Scoring Defense: 64.3ppg (4th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 45% (5th)
    3pt Percentage: 34% (3rd), 137 3pters (6th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 78% (2nd/4th)
    Rebound Margin: +4 (3rd)

    Top Players:  
    Kynedi Cheeseman (All-American) - 21.7ppg (1st/3rd), 87% FT (1st/7th), 4.5rpg, 36 3pters (3rd)
    Sarah Carr (All-American) - 16.3ppg (4th), 30 3pters (8th), 45% 3pt (2nd), 5.8rpg
    Makaela Karst - 10.8ppg, 5.6rpg, 23 3pters, 26 blocks (2nd)
    Jessica Mieras - 8.2ppg, 3.5rpg

    #12 Northwestern College: 6-3 (T4th), 11-3 overall        Head Coach: Chris Yaw (9th year)

The Red Raiders have won three of their last four games heading into Wednesday night's showdown against DWU. Wins over Midland, Waldorf and Doane surround the lone loss during that time, a 97-81 setback at home against top-ranked Concordia. Northwestern is currently tied with Dordt for fourth place in the GPAC standings at 6-3, 11-3 overall. They are one of seven teams from the GPAC currently recognized in the NAIA Coaches' poll.

Sammy Blum has scored in double figures in 13 of her 14 games played this season and has scored 688 career points. The junior guard has made a three-pointer in all but one game this season. Alexis Toering has scored in double figures in 10 of her 14 games played this season, followed by Devyn Kemble, who has reached double figures in nine games this season.

    By the Numbers: (GPAC rank / NAIA rank if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 86.2ppg (2nd / 9th)
    Scoring Defense: 63.6ppg (3rd)
    Field Goal Percentage: 46% (2nd)
    3pt Percentage: 37% (1st / 9th), 149 3pters (3rd / 7th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 76% (4th / 8th)
    Rebound Margin: +5 (2nd)

    Top Players:  
    Sammy Blum (All-Conf) - 14.3ppg (7th), 34 3pters (4th), 52 assists (6th)
    Alexis Toering - 12.3ppg, 7.4rpg (3rd), 41 steals (4th)
    Devyn Kemble - 10.4ppg, 23 3pters, 34% 3pt 
    Bre Schuiteman - 10.1ppg, 30 3pters (8th), 36% 3pt (10th)
    Emilee Danner - 8.1ppg, 21 3pters, 40% 3pt (4th)