BELLEVUE, Neb. – The Northwestern College men’s basketball team (3-0) picked up their third straight win to start the season behind 30 points from senior Trent Hilbrands (Sr., Remsen, Iowa/Le Mars Community) to down the Peru State Bobcats (1-2) on Day 1 of the Bellevue Classic.
Hilbrands picked up his fifth-career 30+ point game, leading all scorers on the night with 30 points as the Raiders move to 3-0 on the young season. He also shot lights out from 3-point range, going 7-for-12 as 21 of his points came from behind the arc. Alex Van Kalsbeek (So., Orange City, Iowa/MOC-Floyd Valley) picks up his second double-double with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Grant DeMeulenaere (Sr., Altoona, Iowa/Grand View Christian) was the third Raider to score in double figures with 13 points
The Raiders shot 51.9% from the floor in the nine-point victory, while shooting a solid 19-for-23 from the free throw line. Free throws were going down well for the team, shooting 82.6% from the strike (19-for-23).
Hilbrands erupted in the first half for 21 points to lead all scorers’ in the opening 20 minutes of play. He was the only Raider to eclipse double-digits in the first half. The half also saw the Raiders shoot a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw strike, while also converting on 50% (6-12) of three-point attempts; as the Raiders would take a 42-36 lead into the break.
Midway through the second half, the Raiders build their largest lead of the contest at 14 points with a 64-50 lead. Peru State would scratch and claw their way back into it, but the Raiders kept them at arm’s length the rest of the way. Van Kalsbeek made his presence known, picking up 15 of his 23 points in the second half, and being perfect from the charity strike (7-for-7).
Up Next: The Raiders will remain in Bellevue, Neb. to take on Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) Saturday evening at 5:00 p.m. to conclude the Bellevue Classic.
