YANKTON, S.D. – The Northwestern College women’s basketball team (16-3, 8-3 GPAC) won their third straight Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) matchup, and their fifth out of the last six, defeating the Lancers of Mount Marty University (2-17, 1-11 GPAC) 80-43.
Northwestern opened up the game on an impressive 23-0 run. The Raider’s defense held the Lancers to 22.2 percent from the field and shot 64.7 percent, including 50 percent from three point land. Senior Jada Cunningham led the Raiders with six quarter points, going two for three from deep.
The second quarter brought more of the same seeing the Raiders shoot north of 60 percent and extending their lead to 30 midway through the quarter. Taylor VanderVelde provided seven quarter points and a three from fellow backcourt senior Devyn Kemble put the Raiders up 38 at the halftime break.
Coming out of the halftime break Northwestern continued to stretch their lead behind a balanced attack. The third quarter saw seven different Raiders score and the largest lead of the night after a Maren Nerem made layup at 73-26. Northwestern took a 73-31 lead into the final frame.
The final quarter of action saw every Raider see some playing time and Northwestern wrapped up their third straight conference victory.
A balanced attack saw four Raiders score in double digits, led by Kemble (Panora, Iowa/Panorama) and VanderVelde (Sioux Falls, S.D./Washington) at 14 apiece. Cunningham (Sioux Falls, S.D./Washington) and Molly Schany (So., Emmetsburg, Iowa/Emmetsburg) rounded out the double digit scorers both scoring 10. Junior Zoe Heemstra (Orange City, Iowa/MOC-Floyd Valley) recorded a new career high of nine points. Maddie Jones (Jr., Twin Lakes, Iowa/South Central Calhoun) led the team with eight rebounds.
Up Next: The Raiders will return home to the Bultman Center on Saturday, Jan. 15, beginning the second half of the GPAC schedule, hosting the Warriors of Midland University with tip off set for 2 p.m.
