Northwestern staves off DWU’s upset bid

Prior to Friday, the Northwestern College women’s basketball team was averaging 85.1 points per game.

In their last five games, the Red Raiders averaged 97.2 points.

Friday night at the Corn Palace, Dakota Wesleyan University found a way to slow down No. 3 Northwestern, but couldn’t pull out the win. The Tigers hung with the Red Raiders much of the game but fell 70-62.

“We’re just a little disappointed that we gave up easy baskets in the second half,” DWU coach Aaron Kahl said. “I know (Northwestern) is a really good team, but you don’t want to do that.”

Dakota Wesleyan matched the Red Raiders basket for basket to start the game, and grabbed a 9-6 lead early on a three-point play by Allison Johnson. The two teams exchanged baskets, and the Tigers grabbed a 24-19 lead with 6:35 to play in the first half when Johnson hit two 3-pointers and a layup.

From there, however, Northwestern went on a 14-5 run to end the half with a 33-29 lead.

The Red Raiders extended their lead on two baskets by freshman Kendra De Jong to start the second half, but DWU went on an 8-1 run highlighted by Johnson’s third 3-pointer of the game to get within one, 38-37.

De Jong scored on a layup and Johnson drained another three to tie the game at 40, but from there Northwestern started to pull away.

Northwestern went on a 13-2 run to grab a 53-42 lead midway through the half. Maggie Malloy hit a 3-pointer to cut into the Red Raiders’ lead and cut the gap to seven, 55-48. That basket marked the start of a five-minute span where Malloy scored 12 of the Tigers’ 13 points.

“We struggled inside,” Kahl said. “We didn’t finish very well in the first half; we didn’t get the ball (inside). We didn’t shoot as well as we could, and if we don’t shoot well it makes it tough to play defense.”

Ashley Johnson hit a 3-pointer with less than 20 seconds remaining to make it a 67-61 game, but it wasn’t enough.

The Tigers finished the game shooting 33.9 percent from the field, but made nine 3-pointers. Allison Johnson finished with 23 points to lead all scorers and Malloy added 17 points and seven rebounds.

DWU played without freshman Liz Lamb — who is out for the season with an injury — and Angela Noteboom, who Kahl said should be back soon from an injury.

“Obviously Liz and Ang are both very good players, and we’re disappointed that Liz won’t get to play anymore (this year),” Kahl said. “That’s just part of this game, and there are people who have been stepping up.”

The Red Raiders, who are now 17-2 overall and 8-1 in the GPAC, shot 50 percent from the field and had 40 rebounds. Randa Hulstien scored 19 points and De Jong finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Red Raiders.

After playing three games in six days, Dakota Wesleyan has off until Wednesday when it hosts Morningside at 6 p.m.

No. 3 NORTHWESTERN 70

DAKOTA WESLEYAN 62

Northwestern (17-2, 8-1)

Kendra de Jong 7-12 1-3 15; Randa Hulstein 5-8 9-12 19; Becca Hurley 1-7 0-0 2; Kami Kuhlmann 4-7 0-0 8; Val Kleinjan 2-6 0-0 6; Allison Hulst 3-5 0-0 6; Kristin Neth 0-0 0-0 0; Katie Nieuwsma 2-4 3-3 7; Andrea Wedel 2-3 0-1 5; Thea Engen 1-1 0-0 2; Shelby Johnson 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 27-54 13-19 70.

Dakota Wesleyan (7-14, 3-6)

Emily Bastian 1-2 1-2 3; Ashley Mailey 1-8 2-4 4; Allison Johnson 7-13 5-5 23; Ashley Johnson 2-10 0-2 6; Maggie Malloy 7-18 1-5 17; Jessica Bartscher 0-2 0-0 0; Kenzie Dvoracek 2-6 0-0 5; Brittany Hills 0-1 2-4 2; Marie Olson 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 21-62 11-22 62.

Halftime score-DWU 29, NW 33. Three-point goals-DWU 9-28 (Al. Johnson 4-8, As. Johnson 2-6, Malloy 2-6, Dvoracek 1-4), NW 3-12 (Kleinjan 2-6, Wedel 1-1). Rebounds-DWU 37 (Malloy 7), NW 41 (De Jong 10). Turnovers-DWU 19, NW 21. Assists-DWU 14, NW 18 (Hulstein 6). Steals-DWU 13, NW 9. Blocks-DWU 0, NW 2.

Tags: sports, basketball, tigers, northwestern