Sammy Blum scored a game-high 23 points in leading Northwestern to its second consecutive win, defeating Hastings 79-57 in a conference match-up played today at the Bultman Center.
Both teams move to 2-3 in the GPAC; Northwestern improves to 2-6 overall, Hastings is now 2-4.
Holding a nine-point advantage at the end of the third quarter (53-44), Northwestern outscored the Broncos 26-13 in a dominant fourth quarter. Two free throws by Devyn Kemble, followed by a jumper by Jada Cunningham and a three-pointer by Kemble put the Raiders up 14 early in the period. Later, three free throws by Jazy Prins and a three-pointer from Blum extended the lead to 19 (68-49) with four minutes left to go. Consecutive baskets in the paint from Molly Schany secured the win down the stretch and put the hosts up by 20+ points.
Northwestern shot 46% for the game, 40% (8/20) from the three-point line, led by Blum, who turned in her first 20-point effort of the season, ninth for her career. Schany contributed 15 points, making 6-of-8 field goal attempts; four additional players ranged from 6-8 points for the balanced Raider offense. Northwestern outrebounded the Broncos, 38-35, led by Taylor VanderVelde with six; Cunningham dished out five assists.
An early 6-0 run put the Raiders in front for good and the hosts held a 16-13 led at the first break. Three-pointers by Blum, Kemble and Maddie Jones spearheaded an 18-6 surge that put Northwestern up 40-26 just before halftime. Hastings made a comeback in the third quarter, cutting the lead down to five (48-43) with 2:21 left in the period.
Kaitlyn Schmit was the lone Hastings player to score in double figures with 11 points to go with six rebounds. The Broncos were limited to 40% shooting, 21% from the three-point line, and were forced into 21 turnovers.
