Hastings, Neb. – Northwestern College (18-11) fell to Hastings College (23-6) by a score of 81-70 on Wednesday at Lynn Farrell Arena.
The Red Raiders started strong with Allison Piercy hitting a 3-pointer at 9:18 to tie the game at 3-3. Molly Schany was pivotal, scoring multiple times, including a 3-pointer at 7:56, extending the Raiders' lead to 10-5. Despite the Broncos closing the gap and taking the lead late in the quarter, Ashtyn Wobig's 3-pointer at 2:27 briefly put the Raiders back in front at 20-17. However, the Broncos concluded the first with a 3-pointer at 0:21, securing a 23-21 lead at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Raiders outscored the Broncos 18-15, with key contributions from Kylie Foss and Schany. At 6:27, Foss made a 3-pointer, assisted by Hali Anderson, to briefly give the Raiders the lead. Schany's defensive rebound at 3:28 and subsequent free throws by Piercy at 3:41 helped the Raiders regain a 35-33 advantage. The quarter concluded with Schany's free throws at 0:41, ensuring the Raiders held a one-point edge at 39-38 going into halftime.
The third quarter saw the Raiders and the Broncos both scoring 21 points, keeping the score tight throughout. Anderson was pivotal for the Raiders, contributing a jumper at 9:27 and a 3-pointer at 5:24 that helped the team regain momentum. Lexie Van Kekerix also made key free throws at 7:22, while Schany's 3-pointer at 1:20 extended their lead momentarily. Wobig added crucial points with a jumper at 2:11, maintaining a narrow lead for the Raiders. The Broncos responded with consistent scoring, but the Raiders' defensive rebounds, including Anderson's at 6:06 and Schany's at 1:51, helped keep the game close.
In the fourth quarter, the Raiders struggled to maintain momentum against the Broncos, closing with a score of 70-81. Hali Anderson displayed her defensive skills with two steals, converting one into a basket at 8:02 to regain a brief lead. Lexie Van Kekerix and Kylie Foss combined for a pivotal sequence at 5:49, with Kekerix scoring a jumper assisted by Foss, pushing the Raiders ahead by three points at that moment. However, the Broncos responded with a series of successful 3-point shots, including Macy Bryant's critical 3-pointer at 4:13, which shifted the momentum in their favor for the remainder of the game.
The Raider's run in the GPAC tournament ends, but they would wait to see if they made it into the NAIA tournament on March 6th at 6 PM.
GAME NOTES
Up Next: The Raiders wait to see if their season will continue on March 6th at 6 PM during the postseason tournament selection show.
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