Game Time...A trip to the 2021 GPAC Women's Basketball Title game is at stake this weekend when No.3 seed Northwestern makes the trip to Seward, Neb. to play No.2 Concordia in a conference semifinal. Tip-off at Friedrich Arena is set for 3pm. 

    Both teams are recognized in the latest NAIA Coaches' poll released earlier this week and are playing some of their best basketball of the season. Northwestern is receiving votes and has won 12 of its last 13 games for a 17-9 overall record. Concordia has won seven straight games and moved up to No.17 in the latest poll; they are 19-7 overall. 

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

The Rivalry...This will be the third match-up played this season and 69th overall in the rivalry between the teams. Concordia won both regular season games, earning an 83-72 home win way back on Nov. 14, and then defeated the Raiders 81-76 in the first game of 2021 (Jan.2). 

    Game One...Concordia held a 45-26 halftime lead before a late Northwestern comeback closed the gap to five, 72-67, with four minutes left. Emilee Danner led all players with a career-high 32 points and seven three-pointers. Taylor Cockerill tallied 25 points to pace Concordia. The Bulldogs shot better (43% - 38%), had a big advantage in scoring from the free throw line (17-6) and forced 23 Raider turnovers. Northwestern had the edge in rebounding, 51-35.

    Game Two...A 9-0 run put Northwestern in front 73-72 with two minutes left but Concordia scored the next eight points and closed with a 9-3 run to get an 81-76 victory at the Bultman Center. Taylor VanderVelde scored a career-high 18 points and pulled down nine rebounds to lead Northwestern. Concordia was led by Taysha Rushton with 28 points, including six three-pointers. Northwestern held the advantage in overall shooting percentage (44% - 40%); Concordia shot better from beyond the arc (40% - 30%) and rebounding was even, 41-41. 

By the Numbers... (GPAC / NAIA rank-if top 10)
   No.17 Concordia: 17-5 (GPAC), 19-7 overall; won 7 straight
    Scoring Offense - 79 (2nd)
    Scoring Defense - 65.8 (6th)
    FG % Offense - 40% (7th)
    FG % Defense - 38% (3rd)
    3pt % Offense - 33% (4th)
    3pt made / game - 10.4 (2nd / 8th)
    3pt % Defense - 30% (2nd)
    Reb. Margin - even (6th)
    TO Margin - +6 (1st)

    (RV) Northwestern: 16-6 (GPAC), 17-9 overall; won 12 of last 13
    Scoring Offense - 74.2 (3rd)
    Scoring Defense - 63.4 (4th)
    FG % Offense - 43% (2nd)
    FG % Defense - 38% (4th)
    3pt % Offense - 36% (2nd)
    3pt made / game - 8.2 (4th)
    3pt % Defense - 31% (6th)
    Reb. Margin - +5 (3rd)
    TO Margin - +2 (4th)

GPAC Tournament Update...

Quarterfinals – Feb. 24
No. 1 Morningside def. No. 8 Jamestown, 84-75
No. 4 Briar Cliff def. No. 5 Dordt, 67-54
No. 3 Northwestern def. No. 6 Midland, 79-54
No. 2 Concordia def. No. 7 Dakota Wesleyan, 70-58

Semifinals – Feb. 27
No. 4 Briar Cliff at No. 1 Morningside, 3 p.m.
No. 3 Northwestern at No. 2 Concordia, 3 p.m.

Projected Starters

Concordia: Head Coach- Drew Olson (15th year)
Taylor Cockerill - 14ppg, 36 3pters, 6.2rpg, 76 assists
Taysha Rushton - 13.7ppg, 55 3pters (6th), 71 assists
Mackenzie Koepke - 7.7ppg, 45 3pters (9th), 5.4 rpg
Taylor Farrell - 7.5ppg, 40 3pters
Rylee Pauli - 6.7ppg, 5.1rpg

Northwestern: Head Coach - Chris Yaw (10th year)
Sammy Blum - 13.7ppg, 70 3pters (2nd / 7th), 79 assists (6th)
Molly Schany - 12.7ppg, 59% (1st / 6th), 6.6rpg
Devyn Kemble - 10ppg, 62 3pters (4th), 40% 3pt
Emilee Danner - 8.5ppg, 28 3pters, 31 blocks
Taylor VanderVelde - 7.7ppg, 5.6rpg, 77 assists (9th)