Game Time... The Northwestern women's basketball team looks to extend its win streak to a season-best six games when they travel to Hastings, Neb. for a rematch against the Broncos this weekend. Saturday's tip-off is set for 2pm. With five straight victories, the Raiders have climbed up to fourth place in the current league standings with a 10-5 record. 10-8 overall. Hastings is in ninth place in the conference standings at 4-11, 5-12 overall. 

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

All-Time...Northwestern has won seven of the last 10 games against the Broncos but trails the all-time series 30-33 (since 1991-92). The Raiders swept both games against Hastings during the 2018-19 season; Hastings swept the Raiders last year. 

Last Time vs Hastings...Sammy Blum scored a game-high 23 points in leading Northwestern to a 79-57 in a conference match-up played at the Bultman Center on Dec. 5. 

Holding a nine-point advantage at the end of the third quarter (53-44), Northwestern put away the Broncos in the fourth where they outscored their rival 26-13. Two free throws by Devyn Kemble, followed by a jumper by Jada Cunningham and a three-pointer by Kemble put the Raiders up 14 early in the period. Later, three free throws by Jazy Prins and a three-pointer from Blum extended the lead to 19 (68-49) with four minutes left to go. Consecutive baskets in the paint from Molly Schany secured the win down the stretch and put the hosts up by 20+ points.

Northwestern shot 46% for the game, 40% (8/20) from the three-point line, led by Blum, who turned in her first 20-point effort of the season. Schany contributed 15 points, making 6-of-8 field goal attempts; four additional players ranged from 6-8 points for the balanced Raider offense. Kaitlyn Schmit was the lone Hastings player to score in double figures with 11 points to go with six rebounds. 

Scouting Reports...

    Hastings Broncos: 4-11 (9th), 5-12                Head Coach: Jina Douglas (6th year)

Hastings has dropped two straight and five of its last six games to fall back into ninth place in the GPAC with a 4-11 record. They are 5-12 overall and are 4.5 games in back of Midland for the eighth and final spot in the eight-team GPAC postseason tournament. The Broncos' last win was an 88-54 victory over Doane on Jan.13; they lost to both Dordt and Mount Marty in their last two games.

Douglas is in her sixth year as the Broncos head coach and earned GPAC Coach of the Year honors after leading her team to a 30-3 overall record and No.4 final ranking in 2019-20. One starter and seven players return from last year's team; Hastings was picked fifth in the GPAC preseason poll.

    By the Numbers (GPAC / NAIA rank - if top 10)
    PPG - 67 (9th)
    FG - 39% (7th)
    3pt FG - 32% (6th)
    FT - 71% (5th)
    Reb. Margin - -5 (11th)
    Opp PPG - 73.4 (10th)

    Individual Leaders (GPAC / NAIA rank - if top 10)
    Kaitlyn Schmit (All-Conf)  - 13.1ppg, 27 3pters, 44 assists
    Taylor Beacom (All-Conf) - 9.5ppg, 22 3pters, 41 assists    
    Carley Leners - 9.2ppg, 5.5rpg
    Ali Smith - 9.1ppg, 18 3pters

    Northwestern Notes: 10-5 (4th), 10-8 overall            Head Coach: Chris Yaw (10th year)

The Raiders won their fifth consecutive game Wednesday night, downing (RV) Briar Cliff 69-59 for a sweep of the season series. They have won 10 of their last 12 games to climb all the way into fourth place in the current GPAC standings with a 10-5 mark, 1/2 game in back of both Briar Cliff and Concordia for second place. Northwestern is 10-8 overall.

    By the Numbers (GPAC / NAIA rank - if top 10)
    PPG - 74.8 (3rd)
    FG - 43% (2nd)
    3pt FG - 35% (2nd)
    FT - 73% (3rd)
    Reb. Margin - +4 (3rd)
    Opp PPG - 65.7 (5th)

    Individual Leaders (GPAC / NAIA rank - if top 10)
    Sammy Blum (All-American) - 12.8ppg, 45 3pters (2nd / 10th), 60 assists (4th)
    Molly Schany - 12.3ppg, 59% FG (1st), 7rpg (6th)   
    Devyn Kemble (All-Conf) - 10.3ppg, 45 3pters (2nd / 10th)
    Emilee Danner - 8.8ppg, 24 3pters, 22 blocks (6th)