The Northwestern College men’s basketball team picked up a decisive 103-52 win against Presentation (S.D.) in non-conference action played today in Aberdeen, S.D.
The bounce back effort improved Head Coach Kris Korver’s squad to 5-2 on the year, heading into a Wednesday night tilt at Briar Cliff.
Alex Van Kalsbeek continued his stellar freshman season, scoring a career-high 24 points on 10-of-14 from the field. The freshman grabbed eight rebounds and has scored 20+ points in five of his seven games played. Trent Hilbrands and Jay Small provided the scoring from the perimeter with 21 and 14 points, respectively. Hilbrands made a season-best four three-pointers en route to his season-best output in the scoring column. Small pulled down five rebounds and is five points shy of the 1,000-point milestone.
A 16-2 run turned the Raiders only deficit into a 20-7 lead following consecutive baskets by Sterk (2) and Hilbrands with 12:08 left in the first half. Leading by 19 (40-21), Northwestern outscored Presentation 12-0 over the final 3-plus minutes of the first half to take a 52-21 lead into the break. Hilbrands scored the final eight points during the run.
Look no further than shooting percentage as one of the factors leading to the substantial lead for NWC; the Raiders shot 62% compared to 29% by the host Saints.
A 13-4 run pushed the Northwestern advantage to 40 with eight minutes left as all 13 Raiders saw court time in the second half.
Northwestern shot 57% for the game, 48% (11/23) from the three-point line, and missed just one free throw (12/13). Craig Sterk contributed 10 points, giving Korver’s squad four players in double figures. Trenton De Haan added nine points and Keegan Van Egdom netted eight, including 2-for-3 from beyond the arc.
The Raiders controlled the glass, outrebounding Presentation 51-27, led by Van Kalsbeek (8), Hilbrands (8) and Sterk (7). Chris Kroll dished out a career-best three assists.
Presentation shot 30% for the game and was led by Qaiyoom Olanlege with 14 points.
