Game Time... The Northwestern College men's basketball team makes the short trip to Sioux Center to play Dordt in a conference match-up between teams recognized in the NAIA preseason poll. Tip-off on Wednesday night at the DeWitt Gym is scheduled for 8pm. Both teams are coming a win last time out; Northwestern is fifth in the current GPAC standings with a 5-3 record, 8-3 overall; Dordt sits one game back in sixth place with a 4-4 record, 8-4 overall. 

    Tickets allocated to Northwestern fans / parents are not available; no tickets can be purchased at the door. 

    Follow the game live at these links: Watch / Listen | Live Stats

All-Time...Northwestern has had the upper hand in the rivalry of late, winning eight of the last 10, and overall with an 81-32 record all-time against the Defenders. The teams split last season, each winning on their home floor. 

Scouting Reports...

    (RV) Dordt University: 4-4 (6th), 8-4 overall            Head Coach: Brian Van Haaften (3rd year)

The Defenders earned a 106-72 home win against Hastings last time out, a victory that pushed their GPAC record to an even 4-4, 8-4 overall. They are currently sixth in the GPAC standings and have one game left (vs Mount Marty) prior to the Christmas break. Three of the four Dordt losses have been on the road; Dordt is 3-1 at home, falling to Dakota Wesleyan in double overtime 80-78 on Nov.18.

Van Haaften is in his third year as the Defenders head coach, taking over the program prior to the 2018-19 season. He previously served as the head of the Buena Vista men's basketball program, guiding the Beavers to nine NCAA National Tournaments and over 400 wins during his tenure. Van Haaften returns four starters and seven players from a 2019-20 team that tied for second in the GPAC with a 13-7 record, 22-9 overall. 

    By the Numbers (GPAC / NAIA rank - if top 10)
    PPG - 80.8 (5th)
    Opp PPG - 74.4 (7th)
    FG - 49% (4th)
    3pt - 32% (10th)
    FT - 68% (9th)
    Reb.Margin - +4 (6th)

    Individual Leaders (GPAC / NAIA rank - if top 10)
    Garrett Franken - 2x all-conference - 15.3ppg (8th), 8.1rpg (5th)
    Jesse Jansma - all-conference - 14.7ppg, 21 3pters, 46 assists (6th)
    Jacob Vis - 12.3ppg, 67% FG, 7.1rpg (8th), 2 double-doubles
    Cade Bleeker - all-conference - 11.1ppg, 19 3pters

Northwestern Notes:  5-3 (5th in GPAC), 8-3 overall                Head Coach: Kris Korver (21st year)

Northwestern has won four of its last five games, defeating Doane 98-84 last time out at the Bultman Center. They are in fifth place in the GPAC with a 5-3 record, 8-3 overall, losing its three games by a combined 11 points and all on the road. 

    By the Numbers (GPAC / NAIA rank - if top 10)
    PPG - 89.5 (1st)
    Opp PPG - 75.5 (8th)
    FG - 54% (1st)
    3pt - 41% (1st)
    FT - 75% (3rd)
    Reb.Margin - +6 (4th)

    Individual Leaders (GPAC / NAIA rank - if top 10)
    Alex Van Kalsbeek - 20.1ppg (2nd), 76% (1st), 6.7rpg (10th)
    Jay Small - 2x all-conference - 15.2ppg (T9th), 32 3pters (2nd), 40% 3pt (10th), 49 assists (3rd)
    Trent Hilbrands - 2x All-American - 14.9ppg, 28 3pters (5th), 43% 3pt (7th), 35 assists (10th)
    Craig Sterk - 2x all-conference - 12.8ppg, 5.8rpg
    Keegan Van Egdom - 11.6ppg, 26 3pters (9th), 51% 3pt (1st)
    Isaac Heyer - 7.8ppg, 13 3pters. 3rpg