Fremont, Nebraska — A fast start and a strong fourth quarter pushed Northwestern to its eighth straight win, a 70-56 road victory against Midland played Saturday afternoon in Fremont, Neb.
Northwestern, on its longest win streak since the 2018-19 season (12 straight), improves to 13-5 in the GPAC and stays tied with Concordia for second place in the current standings. They are 13-8 overall and split the season series against Midland.
Sammy Blum led Northwestern with 17 points to go with five assists while Molly Schany added 16 points and eight rebounds, making good on 8-of-11 field goal attempts. Blum moved into 23rd place all-time in career scoring (1,202pts), passing both Carli Blom and Patti Olsen.
Northwestern raced out to a 19-6 lead and never trailed against the host Warriors. Devyn Kemble knocked down a pair of three-pointers in the opening minutes and four other Raiders scored during the run; Kemble continued her streak of making at least one three-pointer in every game this season. Northwestern led by 13 (24-11) by the end of the first quarter and by 10 at halftime, 36-26, holding Midland to just 29% shooting from the field.
A 10-0 Midland run brought the hosts within two (48-46) near the end of the third period but a Blum three-pointer put her team back in front by five, 51-46, by quarters end. The Raiders began the fourth quarter with a 7-0 surge and built the lead up to 12 (58-46) after a three-pointer by Jada Cunningham. Northwestern led by 10+ points for the rest of the game and outscored the hosts 19-10 in the final period.
Northwestern shot 47% for the game, 30% (6/20) from the three-point line. They held a slight edge, 39-38, on the boards, led by Taylor VanderVelde who matched her career-best with 11. Cunningham totaled eight assists to go with four rebounds.
Midland (10-9 GPAC, 13-9) was led by Makenna Sullivan and Peyton Wingert with 18 points each.
