MADISON, S.D. – Despite the sixth double-double of the season from Alex Van Kalsbeek (So., Orange City, Iowa/MOC-Floyd Valley), the Northwestern College men’s basketball team (11-5, 3-3 GPAC) comes up short against the Dakota State Trojans (4-11, 0-1 NSAA) to wrap up non-conference play for the season, 62-54.
Van Kalsbeek did his part in the game, the only Raider to score in double digits with 28 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 12-for-15 from the floor. Conner Geddes (Fr., Sioux Falls, S.D./Harrisburg) hit two three-point baskets on the night, to lead the Raiders from deep.
The first half saw an evenly contested game as both teams relied heavily on their starting five as the two teams combined for only two bench points in the opening half. The Raiders would take an 8-7 lead early, but would not be able to hold onto it for long as the Trojans would go on a small run to take the lead for good.
Though the Raiders shot at a better clip in the first half, the three-point basketball gave Dakota State the edge as a late three by the Trojans pushed their lead to six at 31-25 to end the half. Van Kalsbeek had eight points in the opening half to lead the Raiders.
Geddes opened the second half with a three for the Raiders to immediately cut the Trojan lead in half. With 16 and a half minutes remaining, the Raiders cut the DSU lead to one. Despite cutting the lead down to two multiple times in the second half, Northwestern just couldn’t get over the hurdle to take back the lead. Having the game tied at 54-54 with 3:20 remaining, the Raiders would go cold as Dakota State would score the final eight points of the contest.
Dakota State was able to maintain control of the contest, controlling the offensive boards with 13, although it was the Raiders who outrebounded the Trojans 29-27 overall. On the night, only four points of the combined 116 points came from the bench.
Trent Hilbrands (Sr., Remsen, Iowa/Le Mars Community) had nine points, followed by Geddes who had eight points and four assists, while also grabbing five rebounds. Kade Fey (So., Edgerton, Minn./Southwest Minnesota Christian) started his first game of the season tallying seven points and six rebounds. Jack Vermeer (So., Pella, Iowa/Pella Christian) also started his first game of the season.
Up Next: Northwestern will be back to start the new year in style hosting the Tigers of Dakota Wesleyan University (6-7, 3-3 GPAC) on New Year’s Day, Saturday, January 1, 2022 in a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) clash at 3:45 p.m. inside the Bultman Center.
