Five Raiders scored in double figures but Northwestern dropped its GPAC opener to Concordia, 77-74, Saturday night in Seward, Neb.
Northwestern is now 2-1 on the season while Concordia improves to 5-1 on the year, 2-0 in conference play.
Trent Hilbrands netted a game-high 19 points to go with five rebounds and three assists. Alex Van Kalsbeek complimented Hilbrands with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists, scoring in double figures for the third straight game. Both Jay Small and Keegan Van Egdom added 12 points each and Craig Sterk chipped in 10.
An early 12-2 run, keyed by back-to-back three-pointers from Van Egdom, put Northwestern in front 12-5 just five minutes in. Concordia responded by scoring the next 13 points en route to a 30-8 run, holding the Raiders to four field goals over a nine-minute stretch, for a 35-20 lead with 5:22 left in the first half. Northwestern trimmed the lead down to 10, 42-32, by halftime.
Northwestern shot 45% in the first half while Concordia was lights out from the floor, shooting 58%.
A 13-4 run brought Head Coach Kris Korver’s squad to within four (58-54) after a three-pointer from Small and baskets by Hilbrands and Sterk with 11 minutes left. Another Raider surge, this time an 8-0 run, put Northwestern in front for the first time since the 13-minute mark of the first half, 62-60, on a basket by Van Kalsbeek. Tied later at 62, Concordia began a decisive 9-2 run to take the lead for good.
Northwestern shot 44% for the game, 28% (7/25) from the arc; Concordia cooled off a bit in the second half, shooting 48% for the game, 36% (12/33) from the arc. Rebounds were even (36-36) while Concordia had two more turnovers, 17-15.
The Bulldogs were led by Sam Scarpelli with 15 points, including four three-pointers. Justin Wiersema added 14 points while Gage Smith chipped in 10 points and 18 rebounds.
