Game Time...Ranked teams square off this weekend as (RV) Northwestern plays host to No.2 Morningside in the final game of the regular season for both squads. Tip-off at the Bultman Center is scheduled for 4pm. Northwestern is in fourth place in the current GPAC standings with a 12-7 record, 20-9 overall; Morningside has already clinched the regular season title and is 17-2 in the conference, 25-2 overall. 

This weekend's game also marks one of the final home games for the four Red Raider seniors; Christian Korver, Dalton Moser, Grant Rohrer and Tim Wager. The parents of the entire roster will also be recognized prior to the game.

    Follow the game live, via our Red Raider Network, at this link: Watch Now! | Live Stats

All-Time...Northwestern holds a slight lead in the all-time series, 23-21, dating back to the first match-up played against the Mustangs in 1973. The Red Raiders, however, have lost four straight and are 4-6 in their last 10 games against Morningside.
    
    Last Five vs Morningside    
    2019-20: 98-69 loss
    2018-19: 92-72 loss
                   90-85 loss
    2017-18: 80-76 loss
                   66-57 win

Last Time vs Mustangs...Craig Sterk scored a game-high 17 points in No.19 Northwestern's 98-69 loss to top-ranked Morningside in a conference match-up played Jan.11 in Sioux City, Iowa. 

A close game early, Morningside outscored Northwestern 22-7 to take a 39-35 advantage with 6:40 left in the first half. The Mustangs closed the half with 14-5 surge to take a 57-36 lead at the break. 

Morningside shot an impressive 69% in the first half compared to 45% by Northwestern; the Mustangs converted 7-of-11 three-point attempts over the first 20 minutes. 

Sterk was one of three Red Raiders to score in double figures, making 6-of-10 field goal attempts for 17 points. Jay Small contributed 14 points, draining 4-of-9 three pointers, and Grant Rohrer came off the bench to score 11. Keegan Van Egdom dished out four assists for Head Coach Kris Korver's squad.
                   
    Complete Recap | 

Scouting Reports...

    No.2 Morningside Mustangs: 17-2 (1st), 25-2 overall            Head Coach: Jim Sykes (16th year)

Morningside won its first 23 games and held down the top spot in the NAIA Coaches' poll for several weeks before going 2-2 in February. They lost to Briar Cliff on Feb. 1, earned a big home win against Midland, lost on the road to DWU and defeated Jamestown last time out, 111-85, on Feb.15. The Mustangs have already won the regular season title and secured the No.1 seed in the upcoming GPAC tournament. 

Coach Sykes is in his 16th season and has the most wins in program history. He returns four starters and 11 players from a 2018-19 team that won the GPAC regular season title with an 18-2 record and lost in the national quarterfinals to College of Idaho. Sykes has claimed the GPAC Coach of the Year honor the last two years. 

    By the Numbers: (GPAC / NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 84.7ppg (6th)
    Scoring Defense: 68.2ppg (1st/6th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 53% (1st / 1st)
    3pt Percentage: 40% (1st/4th), 235 3pters (10th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 68% (10th)
    Rebound Margin: +8 (1st)

    Top Players:  (GPAC / NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Tyler Borchers(All-American) - 17.4ppg (6th), 62% FG (1st/5th), 6.8rpg (8th)
    Zach Imig (2x All-Conference) - 13.5ppg, 5.8rpg, 112 assists (1st)
    Alex Borchers (2x All-Conference) - 11.6ppg, 42 3pters, 72 assists
    Trey Brown (All-Conference) - 10ppg, 63% FG

    (RV) Northwestern: 12-7 (T4th), 20-9 overall        Head Coach: Kris Korver (20th year)

Northwestern had its five-game win streak snapped last time out, losing to Dakota Wesleyan on the road, 93-76. The Red Raiders are currently in fourth place in the GPAC with a 12-7 record, one game ahead of Concordia and 1/2 game in back of Dordt. They are 20-9 overall.

This marks one of the final home games of the regular season for the four seniors on this year's roster; Christian Korver, Dalton Moser, Grant Rohrer and Tim Wager.

        2019-20: 12-7, 20-9
        2018-19: 11-9 (5th), 17-13
        2017-18:  13-5 (T2nd), 26-7; NAIA Qualifier, ranked 10th
        2016-17: 13-5 (2nd), 27-7, NAIA Qualifier, ranked 12th

    Grant Rohrer
 
                74 games played, 502pts, 255 rebounds, 66% FG for career
 
                Nursing major
 
                Scored in double figures in 19 games, 7 double-doubles (heading into DWU), 5 20+ point games
 
                Career-high 27 points vs Peru State, career-high 11 rebounds vs Doane
 
    Christian Korver
 
                112 games played, 405pts, 114 3pters, 151 rebounds, 62 assists
 
                NAIA Scholar Athlete; Social Studies Education major
 
                Scored in double figures in 10 games, 2 20+ point games
 
                Career high 21 points, 7 3pters vs Oak Hills Christian, career high 6 rebounds vs Oak Hills and Midland
 
    Dalton Moser
 
                38 games played, 79 points, 50 rebounds, 19 3pters
 
                Business Administration major
 
            Scored in double figures in 1 game
           
            Career-high 12pts vs Oak Hills, career-high 2 3pters 5x, career-high 7 rebounds vs Ozark Christian
 
    Tim Wager
 
            19 games played, 37pts, 11 rebounds, 10 assists
 
           
                Exercise Science major; also on the Red Raider track and field team
 
            Career-high 8pts, 3 rebounds vs Valley City State


    By the Numbers: (GPAC / NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 86.1ppg (5th)
    Scoring Defense: 78ppg (6th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 49% (4th)
    3pt Percentage: 38% (6th), 331 3pters (3rd/4th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 76% (3rd)
    Rebound Margin: +5 (5th)

    Top Players:  (GPAC / NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Trent Hilbrands (All-American) - 18ppg (5th), 85 3pters (4th), 46% 3pt (6th), 72 assists 
    Jay Small (All-Conference) - 14.7ppg, 80 3pters (6th), 6.4rpg (9th), 74 assists (9th) 
    Craig Sterk (All-Conference) - 13.6ppg, 33 3pters, 5.3rpg, 31 blocks (3rd)
    Grant Rohrer - 11ppg, 68% FG, 4.9rpg