IRVINE, Calif. – The No. 17-ranked Northwestern College women’s basketball team (9-0, 3-0 GPAC) used a gritty effort led by Molly Schany (So., Emmetsburg, Iowa/Emmetsburg) who dropped a 28-point performance to down the Warriors of Westcliff University (2-4, 0-0 GSAC) 79-67 Saturday afternoon to conclude play in California.
“Fantastic game for Molly, she gave us a huge presence inside fighting for position and finishing through contact, and making her free throws,” said head coach Kristin Rotert. “Her presence in the post was a difference maker for us today!”
Taylor VanderVelde (Sr., Sioux Falls, S.D./Washington) got the Raiders started offensively scoring the first five points for Northwestern. The Raider offense was efficient in the first frame shooting 50% from the field. Nine quarter turnovers slowed down the Raiders as they trailed18-15 after the first frame.
The second period of play saw Schany assert her dominance down low scoring 17 points in the quarter and snatching four offensive rebounds. For the quarter, Northwestern shot 53% but the Warriors matched the offensive pace shooting 56%, Trinity Vasquez paced the Warriors with eight quarter points. Going into the break the Raiders held a 41-36 advantage.
Devyn Kemble (Sr., Panora, Iowa/Panorama) got the Raiders going coming out of the break with a pair of free throws and then back-to-back 3-pointers. Again, the Warriors would match Northwestern offensively and continued to hang around with the No. 17-ranked Raiders.
Entering the final quarter of play the Raiders held onto a six-point lead. The balanced attack of Laura Tapia and Vasquez kept the Warriors within striking distance but the combination of Schany and Maddie Jones (Jr., Twin Lakes, Iowa/South Central Calhoun) kept the Warriors at arm’s length. Converting from the free throw line and a series of big defensive rebounds by VanderVelde sealed the deal and sent the Raiders home with two wins in California.
Schany recorded a new career high with 28 points and finished with a double-double (11 rebounds). VanderVelde recorded a double-double with 11 points and an impressive 13 rebounds. Jones and Kemble finished with 14 points apiece, while Jones also recorded five assists.
Up Next: The Raiders will return home to the Bultman Center to take on Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) foe Briar Cliff on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 6:00 p.m.
