Craig Sterk netted a career-high 28 points in leading Northwestern to a convincing 97-79 home win against Midland in a conference match-up played today at the Bultman Center. Earning their second consecutive GPAC win, Northwestern improves to 2-1 in the conference, 4-1 overall.
Sterk made 12-of-15 field goals, converting both of his three-point attempts, as he continued to be force in the paint as well as on the perimeter. Alex Van Kalsbeek dominated once again in the post, pouring in 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting to go with five rebounds and three assists. Jay Small (14pts) and Issac Heyer (10pts) gave Head Coach Kris Korver’s squad four players in double figures.
Northwestern shot 64% for the game and an even better 73% over the final 20 minutes.
Midland raced out to an 11-7 lead only to have the Raiders outscore the visitors 13-2 over a five-minute stretch for a 20-13 advantage. Small had the hot hand early, scoring eight of his 14 points over the first nine minutes. Midland led for the final time, 31-29, with 5:23 left in the first half; Northwestern then began an 11-0 run, led by Sterk and Van Kalsbeek who combined for nine points during the surge, to go in front 42-34 at the half.
A Warriors basket to start the second half preceded a 16-4 Northwestern run as the hosts pulled away to an 18-point advantage. Midland made it a 13-point game (69-56) following a three-pointer by Bo Sandquist with nine minutes left but Northwestern quickly pushed its lead back to 20+ points down the stretch.
Midland shot 53% for the game, 45% (9/20) from the arc, led by Kyle Castille with 19 points. Josh Lambert contributed 17 points on 7-of-12 from the field.
