Game Time...The Northwestern College men's basketball team will host the University of Jamestown this weekend with a berth to the GPAC Championship game at stake. Tip-off for Saturday's conference semifinal is set for 3pm.
Both teams are recognized in the latest NAIA Coaches' poll released earlier this week; Northwestern moved up to No.23 in the poll and has won 11 straight games, its longest win streak since 2016-17 (17 straight). They are 21-5 coming into Saturday, the fourth 20+ win season in the last five seasons and 15th under head coach
Kris Korver. The Jimmies received votes in the latest poll and have won seven of their last nine game for a 19-7 record.
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The Rivalry...Northwestern swept the regular season series, winning 91-78 on Nov.18 in Jamestown, N.D. and again on Feb.10 by the score of 88-79 in Orange City. The Raiders have won four straight in the rivalry and lead the all-time series 13-7, dating back to the 1972-73 season.
Game One...Five players scored in double figures and Northwestern raced out to a 55-33 halftime lead in defeating Jamestown 91-78 in the first match-up.
Alex Van Kalsbeek netted 23 points and
Isaac Heyer drained five three-pointers en route to a 21-point effort. Northwestern shot 50% for the game compared to 45% by Jamestown, who was led by Mason Walters with 24 points.
Game Two...Northwestern used a pair of second half scoring runs to come from behind and defeat Jamestown in the second game, 88-79.
Alex Van Kalsbeek scored a game-high 27 points and
Trent Hilbrands and
Isaac Heyer both scored 23 for the Raiders. Both teams shot 50% or better; Northwestern held a slight advantage (36-31) on the boards. Marc Kjos led Jamestown with 20 points and Mason Walters contributed a double-double (16pts, 10 rebounds).
By the Numbers... (GPAC / NAIA rank-if top 10)
(RV) University of Jamestown Jimmies: 14-6 (T3rd GPAC), 19-7
Scoring Offense - 83.5 (2nd)
Scoring Defense - 74.3 (5th)
FG % Offense - 50% (2nd)
FG % Defense - 45% (4th)
3pt % Offense - 39% (2nd)
3pt made / game - 10.2 (5th)
3pt % Defense - 34% (4th)
Reb. Margin - +8 (3rd)
TO Margin - -1
#23 Northwestern: 15-5 (2nd GPAC), 21-5 overall; won 11 straight, 13 of 14
Scoring Offense - 85.7 (3rd)
Scoring Defense - 73.4 (4th)
FG % Offense - 54% (1st / 3rd)
FG % Defense - 44% (3rd)
3pt % Offense - 40% (1st)
3pt made / game - 9.2 (6th)
3pt % Defense - 34% (5th)
Reb. Margin - +9 (2nd)
TO Margin - -2
2021 Great Plains Athletic Conference Cypress Risk Management
Men's Basketball Post-Season Tournament
GPAC Men's Basketball Quarterfinals – Wednesday, February 24
#8 Mount Marty 76, #1 Morningside 73
#4 Dakota Wesleyan 70, #5 Concordia 58
#3 Jamestown 89, #6 Dordt 68
#2 Northwestern 83, #7 Briar Cliff 77
GPAC Men's Basketball Semifinals – Saturday, February 27
#8 Mount Marty (10-16, 9-11 GPAC at #4 Dakota Wesleyan (19-7, 14-6 GPAC), 3 pm
#3 Jamestown (19-7, 14-6 GPAC) at #2 Northwestern (21-5, 15-5 GPAC), 3 pm
GPAC Men's Basketball Championship Tuesday, March 2
Semifinal winners at highest remaining seed, Time TBA
Projected Starters
(RV) University of Jamestown: Head Coach - Danny Neville (6th year)
Mason Walters - 21.5ppg (1st), 12.1rpg (1st / 2nd)
Allante' Pickens - 11.5ppg, 48 3pters, 66 assists
Marc Kjos - 11.1ppg, 67 3pters (3rd), 105 assists
Cole Woodford - 9.6ppg, 44 3pters
Jack Talley (all-conf) - 9.6ppg, 4.2
Northwestern: Head Coach - Kris Korver (21st year)
Alex Van Kalsbeek - 20.4ppg (2nd), 75% (1st / 1st), 7.2rpg (8th), 81 assists (10th)
Trent Hilbrands - 16.3ppg (8th), 75 3pters (1st / 9th), 69 assists
Craig Sterk - 14.3ppg, 7.6rpg (5th)
Jay Small - 13.2ppg, 61 3pters (7th), 5.5rpg
Isaac Heyer - 8ppg, 38 3pters, 4.2rpg
