FREMONT, Neb. – The (RV) Northwestern College men’s basketball team (7-1, 1-1 GPAC) fell for the first time this season on the road in a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) clash against a red-hot from deep Warriors squad of Midland University (6-3, 1-2 GPAC), 77-66.
The Warriors came out on fire in the first half, seemingly unable to miss from deep as they made 12 3-pointers in the first half alone. The first four made field goals by Midland were all from deep, allowing them to jump out to an early 12-2 lead. While the Warriors couldn’t miss from deep, the Raiders couldn’t get anything to fall shooting 2-for-17 from deep and 35.5% from the floor. Trailing by as many as 22 points in the first half, the Raiders trailed 47-26 at the break. Matt Onken (R-So., Marshall, Minn./Marshall) led the team with seven points.
The second half saw a Northwestern comeback attempt led by Trent Hilbrands (Sr., Remsen, Iowa/Le Mars Community) and Conner Geddes (Fr., Sioux Falls, S.D./Harrisburg) who both scored double digits in the second half at 12 and 11 points, respectively. The Raiders were able to cut the deficit to nine points three different times in the second half but could never get over the hump as Midland held them at arm’s length. The Raiders would go on to outscore the Warriors 40-30 in the second half, but it wouldn’t be enough to overcome the 21-point halftime deficit.
Though the comeback attempt fell short, two Raiders scored in double digits led by Hilbrands with 18 points, Noah Slagter (Sr., Willmar, Minn./Willmar) scored 13 points with six rebounds, and Geddes had 11 points. Alex Van Kalsbeek (So., Orange City, Iowa/MOC-Floyd Valley) led the team with eight rebounds on the evening.
Up Next: The Raiders will return to the court the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 26 at the Dordt Classic when they play the Peru State Cougars for the second time this season. Tip-off is slated for 5:00 p.m. from De Witt Gymnasium on the campus of Dordt University.
