Crete, Neb. – Northwestern College defeated Doane 59-55 on Saturday in Crete, Neb.
Northwestern started the quarter strong with Lexie Van Kekerix hitting an early jumper, followed by Hali Anderson's three-pointer at the 8:30 mark, establishing a 5-0 lead. The Red Raiders extended their lead to 7-0 with a jumper by Kylie Foss, before the Tigers scored their first points. The quarter ended with Northwestern leading 15-11, highlighted by Maren Nerem's contributions with two well-timed layups, assisted by Foss, in the final minutes.
In the second quarter, the Raiders extended their lead with a strong performance, particularly from Molly Schany and Anderson. At 9:51, Schany hit two free throws to increase the score to 17-11, and later added another layup at 1:15, contributing to her consistent scoring. Anderson also made key contributions with a jumper at 7:09 and a three-pointer at 3:12, helping the Raiders secure a 16-point quarter against the Tigers' 11. The team capitalized on turnovers and free throws to maintain their advantage throughout the quarter.
In the third quarter, the Raiders maintained a strong offense, highlighted by Anderson's effective play, including a key jumper at 8:21, followed by a defensive rebound and assist to Van Kekerix, who scored a layup. Schany contributed significantly with defensive rebounds and two free throws to increase the lead, while Ashtyn Wobig capped off the quarter with a three-pointer. The Raiders outscored the Tigers 18-15 in the quarter, extending their lead with a notable scoring run in the closing minutes.
In the fourth quarter, Northwestern faced a competitive push from the Tigers, with the Raiders scoring 10 points while Doane managed 18. Notably, Schany contributed significantly for the Raiders by scoring a layup at 9:15, giving the team a 14-point lead at that moment. Despite several turnovers, the Raiders maintained their defensive efforts with Schany securing multiple rebounds and adding a crucial free throw with just under two minutes remaining to keep the Raiders in the lead.
GAME NOTES
Up Next: The Raiders will travel to Sioux Center, Iowa to take on #1 Dordt at 6 PM on February 5th
