Game Time... Northwestern College plays host to (RV) Dordt University in a rivalry match-up Wednesday night at the Bultman Center. Tip-off for the conference game is slated for 8pm. Northwestern has won two of its last three games and is tied with Concordia for fifth place in the GPAC with an 8-6 record, 16-8 overall. Dordt is tied with Mount Marty for third place in the GPAC at 9-6, 18-7 overall. 

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All-Time...Northwestern has won seven of its last eight and is 8-2 in the last 10 games against the Defenders. The Red Raiders hold a decisive 80-32 advantage in the all-time series, dating back to the 1965-66 season.

    Last Five vs Dordt:
    2019-20: 86-68
    2018-19: 89-80
    2018-19: 74-69
    2017-18: 96-92
    2017-18: 116-111 (OT)

Last Time vs Dordt...Shooting woes doomed Northwestern in its 86-68 loss at No.25 Dordt in a conference match-up played Nov.20 in Sioux Center, Iowa. 

Northwestern shot 39% for the game but just 25% in the first half when the host Defenders raced out to a 48-26 halftime lead. Craig Sterk netted a team-high 18 points, one of four Red Raiders to score in double figures. Trent Hilbrands poured in 15, Grant Rohrer 11 and Jay Small scored 10. 

Head Coach Kris Korver's squad held the lead just twice, after the game's first basket (a three-pointer by Small) and moments later after a three-pointer by Hilbrands. With the score tied at 16-16, Dordt drained five straight three-pointers in a 15-4 run for a 31-20 advantage. The host Defenders extended their lead to 48-26 by halftime as Northwestern made just three field goals over the final 11 minutes. 

Garrett Franken led all players with 24 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Jesse Jansma scored 15 and Ben Gesink added 14 points and three assists for the Defenders, who shot 49% for the game. 

    ​​​​​​​Complete Recap | 

Scouting Reports...

    (RV) Dordt University Defenders: 9-6 (T3rd), 18-7 overall            Head Coach: Brian Van Haaften (2nd year)

The Defenders have won three straight since losing back-to-back match-ups against top 10 teams, Dakota Wesleyan and Morningside, in early January. Dordt continues to receive votes in the NAIA Coaches poll and has climbed into a third place tie, along with Mount Marty, in the GPAC standings with a 9-6 record. They are 18-7 overall with five games left in the regular season. Dordt has wins over Jamestown, Doane and Midland during their streak.

Van Haaften, now in his second year as head coach of the Defenders, returns three starters and 10 players from a 2018-19 team that finished tied for sixth in the GPAC with a 10-10 record, 19-13 overall. They lost to Jamestown in the GPAC semifinals last year and were picked fourth in this year's preseason poll. Van Haaften was a long time head coach at Buena Vista prior to coming to Dordt prior to the 2018-19 season.

By the Numbers: (GPAC rank, NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 86.1ppg (4th)
    Scoring Defense: 75.3ppg (4th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 48% (4th)
    3pt Percentage: 39% (4th), 247 3pters (5th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 69% (8th)
    Rebound Margin: +6 (3rd)

    Top Players:  (NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Garrett Franken (All-Conference) - 15.6ppg (10th), 7.5rpg (2nd), 55 assists
    Jesse Jansma - 12.4ppg, 45 3pters, 33% 3pt, 65 assists
    Cade Bleeker - 10.8ppg, 55 3pters, 48% 3pt (4th), 4.1rpg
    Zach Bussard - 9.6ppg, 60% FG, 4.4rpg    

Northwestern Red Raiders: 8-6 (T5th), 16-8 overall        Head Coach: Kris Korver (20th year)

The Red Raiders have won two of their last three games, earning wins over Briar Cliff and Hastings with a loss on the road to Concordia inbetween. Head Coach Kris Korver's squad is tied with Concordia for fifth place in the current GPAC standings with an 8-6 record and six contests remaining in the regular season. They are 16-8 overall and have a 3-5 record since the new year.

Korver is in his 20th season as the Red Raiders head coach and has over 400 wins and 15 winning seasons during his tenure. He has led NWC teams to 13 national tournaments.

    By the Numbers: (GPAC / NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Scoring Offense: 86.3ppg (5th)
    Scoring Defense: 76.6ppg (6th)
    Field Goal Percentage: 48% (5th)
    3pt Percentage: 38% (6th), 276 3pters (3rd/7th)
    Free Throw Percentage: 74% (5th)
    Rebound Margin: +5 (4th)

    Top Players:  (GPAC / NAIA rank-if top 10)
    Trent Hilbrands (All-American) - 17.8ppg (6th), 71 3pters (4th), 59 assists
    Jay Small (All-Conf) - 14.7ppg, 66 3pters (6th), 6.1rpg (10th), 61 assists
    Craig Sterk (All-Conf) - 13.6ppg, 57% FG (3rd), 5.6rpg, 27 blks
    Grant Rohrer - 10.7ppg, 68% FG, 5.3rpg