Sammy Blum poured in a game-high 21 points in leading the surging Northwestern women's basketball team to a 79-70 road win against Hastings this afternoon.

The Raiders sweep the season series against the Broncos and push their win streak to a season-best six games. They now sit alone in third place in the current GPAC standings with an 11-5 record, 11-8. Head Coach Chris Yaw's squad has won 11 of their last 13 games. 

Hastings slips to 4-12 in the GPAC, 5-13 overall. 

Blum drained four three-pointers en route to her fourth 20-point game of the season. The senior also pulled down a team-high seven rebounds and contributed two assists. Emilee Danner came off the bench to score 14 and five additional players netted at least six points for the balanced Raiders. 

Northwestern shot nearly 50% from the three-point line, making 10 shots from beyond the arc compared to just four by the Broncos. Both teams shot 44% from the field for the game.

The Raiders held the lead against the persistent Broncos at every break; 20-15 at the end othe first, 38-35 at half and 55-51 by the end of the third quarter. A Devyn Kemble three-pointer, her third of the game, a basket by Hannah Nerem and three-point play by Blum highlighted an 8-2 Northwestern run to extend the lead to double digits for the first time all game, 63-53. 

Moments later, Hastings made one final charge, closing the gap to five (67-62) after two free throws by Ali Smith with five minutes left. This time, it was Emilee Danner who knocked down a three-pointer and turned the momentum back in the Raiders favor.

The Raiders held the top two scorers for Hastings, Taylor Beacom and Kaitlyn Schmit, to a combined four points and 1-for-12 from the field. Carley Leners led the Broncos with 18 points and Natalia Dick contributed a double-double, 14 points and 12 rebounds. 

Jada Cunningham led Northwestern with five assists and Taylor VanderVelde added four assists.