ORANGE CITY, Iowa – The Northwestern College women’s basketball team (13-3, 5-3 GPAC) endured a cooler shooting night than normal that ended in a 69-57 loss to the Tigers of Dakota Wesleyan University (14-2, 6-2 GPAC).
The Tigers jumped out to an early 8-3 lead, junior Emilee Danner would answer with a layup to cut the lead to three. Dakota Wesleyan (DWU) would continue to jump on the Raiders pushing their early lead to 20-7. Danner would again be the one to answer for the Raiders knocking in a three to cut the Tiger’s lead to 10. The first period of play would end with a 20-10 DWU lead.
The second quarter would prove to be a tough one offensively for the Raiders as they only shot 25 percent, well below their season average of 48.1 percent. The Tigers would extend their lead to as many as 17 behind six quarter points from Lacey Sprakel. Northwestern would not go away quietly, a layup and a pair of free throws by Molly Schany would cut the deficit to 10. The Raiders would trail 39-25 at the halfway point.
The beginning of the third quarter would see both teams trade baskets and the deficit hoovering around 12 for the Raiders. A small spurt from Northwestern midway through the third quarter would include two baskets from junior Hannah Nerem and was capped off with a three from Maddie Jones would cut the lead to seven with just over two minutes left in the quarter. After a Schany layup just before the buzzer the Raiders would trail by eight going into the final period of play.
The Tigers would come out and answer the push from the Raiders, stretching their lead back to 15. Northwestern was able to shoot a better percentage during the final frame but turnovers plagued the comeback attempt and the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) clash went the way of the Tigers.
Schany (So., Emmetsburg, Iowa/Emmetsburg) was the only Raider to reach double digits with 17. Danner (Westside, Iowa/Ar-We-Va) and Taylor VanderVelde (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D./Washington) tied for the team lead in rebounds with six apiece. Danner would also snag three steals and tallied nine points on the afternoon. Jones (Twin Lakes, Iowa/South Central Calhoun) would notch four assists to go along with four rebounds and seven points. Nerem (Jr., Edgerton, Minn./Southwest Minnesota Christian) would provide six points on an efficient three for four from the field.
Up Next: The Raiders will continue their home stand hosting the Jimmies of the University of Jamestown on Friday, Jan. 7, at 6:00 p.m.
