The Northwestern College men’s basketball team matched its season-high with 17 3pters as they picked up their 10th win of the season, downing Presentation 98-64 this evening at the Bultman Center.
The Raiders stayed perfect on their home floor, improving to 7-0 at the Bultman Center this season; they have a 10-4 overall record heading into the heart of their GPAC schedule.
Senior Trent Hilbrands led all scorers, netting 21 of his 25 points from beyond the arc. The sharp-shooting guard matched his career-high with seven three-pointers while also dishing out three assists.
As a team, Northwestern shot 43% from the arc, matching its season-high with 17 three-pointers (vs Doane). Seven different Raiders made a three-pointer in tonight’s win against the Saints.
An early 21-2 run put the Raiders in front for good as the hosts raced out to a 23-8 lead after Craig Sterk knocked down a three-pointer with 12:33 left in the first half. Another trifecta, this time from Jay Small, gave Northwestern its first 20-point lead (42-21) with just over four minutes left in the first half. The Raiders scored 11 of the final 14 points in the first half to take a 53-26 lead into the locker room.
Northwestern stretched its lead to 30-plus points early in the second half and head coach Kris Korver went to his bench early and often over the final 20 minutes.
Alex Van Kalsbeek was one rebound shy of his fourth double-double, scoring 13 points to go with nine rebounds. Both Craig Sterk and Isaac Heyer scored 11 and Grant DeMeulenaere netted a season-high nine. Matt Onken added a career-best nine points and five assists as the redshirt freshman played a season-high 25 minutes. Jay Small matched his career-best with 10 assists.
Northwestern shot 55% from the field and held a huge edge (50-30) on the glass. The Raiders improved to 7-0 all-time against Presentation.
The Saints were led in scoring by Qaiyoom Olanlege with 20 points.
