The Northwestern College women's basketball team was upended by Sterling 78-71 in its season opener played today at the Bultman Center. Today's match-up was part of the 2020 Northwestern Pizza Ranch Classic. 

Leading 43-34 at the half, Northwestern shot just 37% and was outscored 44-28 over the final 20 minutes. 

Sammy Blum netted a team-high 18 points, making 6-of-16 field goal attempts, and shared team-best honors with eight boards. Molly Schany scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds in her first game in a Raider uniform, and Hannah Nerem produced 10 points and five rebounds coming off the bench. 

The first quarter ended with Northwestern leading 21-17 and the hosts followed with a 17-4 run, finished off with free throws by Nerem and a basket by Emilee Danner, to go up 38-21 with 3:42 left in the first half. Sterling trimmed the Raider lead down to nine (43-34) by half.

A Devyn Kemble three-pointer put Northwestern in front by 11 early in the third period but Sterling closed the quarter with a 12-5 run to get within two, 56-54. Sterling tied the game, 63-63, following a three-pointer from Alexis Theus, with 4:42 left in the game, the first tie since early in the contest. Tied for the final time at 69, Sterling outscored the hosts 9-2 over the final 1:44 to earn the win.

Northwestern shot 40% for the game, 25% (5/20) from the three-point line; Sterling was a tad better, shooting 45% for the game, 31% from the three-point line. The Raiders outrebounded Sterling 41-38 but committed 22 turnovers compared to 19 by the Warriors.

Sterling, the KCAC preseason favorite, had six players score in double figures, led by Taya Wilson with 19 points.