SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The Northwestern College men’s basketball team (7-2, 1-1 GPAC) fell short against Peru State (5-5, 1-1 HAAC) in the rematch from November 5 in the first game on the Dordt Classic, falling 83-70.
Trent Hilbrands (Sr., Remsen, Iowa/Le Mars Community) started hot for the Raiders, scoring the first seven Northwestern points, but the Bobcats of Peru State came to play in this second meeting between the two teams this season. At the first time out break of the action, the Bobcats led 9-7 with 16 minutes remaining in the half. Freshman Conner Geddes (Sioux Falls, S.D./Harrisburg) kept the Raiders within striking distance in the first 20 minutes with some clutch 3-point baskets to help sway momentum to the Raiders.
Peru State was live or die by the three, starting out hot, but cooled off as the half progressed. Ending the half 5-for-15 from deep to allow the Raiders to go on their 7-0 run to trail 38-36 heading into the locker room. Alex Van Kalsbeek (So., Orange City, Iowa/MOC-Floyd Valley) led all scorers with 12 first half points, as well as grabbing eight rebounds. Geddes was the other Raider in double-digits at the break with 11, shooting 3-for-3 from deep.
Back-to-back 3-pointers for the Bobcats extended their lead back out to seven early in the second half at 46-39. Peru State’s Skyler Wilson would prove to be a thorn in the Raiders’ side in the second half, picking up nine points going 3-for-4 behind the arc in the final 20 minutes. The two teams would trade baskets in the final five minutes of the game, but the Raiders couldn’t push through to break into single digit deficit as Peru State would walk out of De Witt Gymnasium with an 83-70 victory.
Van Kalsbeek led all scorers with 24 points and was one rebound away from a double-double (9 rebounds). Geddes and Hilbrands both also scored in double digits at 17 and 16, respectively. Geddes also recorded five rebounds in the contest. Northwestern shot 9-for-9 as a team from the free throw line, led by a perfect 6-for-6 by Van Kalsbeek.
Up Next: The Raiders will conclude the Dordt Classic tomorrow afternoon against the Wolfpack of Oak Hills Christian (Minn.) at 2:00 p.m. from the De Witt Gymnasium on the campus of Dordt University.
