SIOUX CITY, Iowa — The Red Raiders squeaked past Briar Cliff, 78-72, thanks to a commanding third quarter. The Raiders' bench was on fire, racking up thirty-five points that proved crucial in securing the win.

The Red Raiders kicked off the first quarter with a bang. Ashtyn Wobig found the basket early, giving Northwestern the lead. Allison Piercy then expanded that lead with a fast-break layup following a steal, showcasing the team's defensive prowess. Despite a few turnovers, Northwestern held their ground with sharp assists, ending the quarter ahead, 22-21.

The Raiders shone in the paint, scoring fourteen points to BCU's twelve, and added ten from their bench. With seven assists in the quarter, they moved the ball efficiently to cling to a small lead, closing the quarter with a one-point advantage.

The second quarter saw Northwestern struggling to find their rhythm against the Chargers. Turnovers and missed shots plagued the Raiders early on, but they retaliated with solid defense, racking up three steals, including a standout swipe by Wobig at 9:43. Emily TerWee and Ellie Karolevitz added critical baskets to keep the pressure on BCU.

Although the Raiders outscored the Chargers 10-8 in the paint, they couldn't cut the deficit, as BCU capitalized on Northwestern's miscues to stretch their lead. The quarter ended with Northwestern trailing, 40-34.

The third quarter marked a turning point, with Piercy hitting an impactful three-pointer off a Wobig assist, setting the stage for a strong offensive push. TerWee was pivotal in the paint, helping to swing the momentum. Northwestern pounced on turnovers, with Margo Schuiteman's steal leading to a key basket, and smart free-throw shooting added to their tally.

As the quarter progressed, Northwestern widened their lead. Karolevitz joined the scoring spree, forcing BCU to call a timeout to break the Raiders' stride. Jenna Kluxdal was clutch at the free-throw line, further boosting the lead. Despite a late charge from BCU, defensive rebounds and timely free throws by Kylie Foss ensured the Raiders stayed in front, ending the quarter with a 60-58 lead.

In the final quarter, Northwestern's tenacious defense sealed the deal. Foss set the tone with an early steal, disrupting BCU's flow. Piercy nailed a crucial three-pointer at 8:53, and Wobig's vital basket expanded the lead.

Northwestern held their advantage by netting six field goals, including three from beyond the arc, and forcing five steals. The Chargers fought hard but struggled against the Raiders' airtight defense, managing only five field goals. The game ended with some scrappy play from the Raiders which sealed their first ranked in since 2023.

GAME NOTES

• Kluxdal led in the scoring column with 19 points in only 17 minutes
• Piercy had an impactful day with 10 points, 7 assists, and 4 steals
• Ellie Karolevitz had a good night with 10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals
• The Raiders' bench was key to the victory with 35 points compared to Briar Cliff's 14

Up next: the Northwestern Red Raiders take on Mount Marty on Saturday, February 7, at 2 p.m. in Yankton, South Dakota.

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