The Red Raider men’s basketball team lost to a pair of ranked teams this week, starting with Hastings last Saturday, 79-93. Freshman Daniel Van Kalsbeek scored 20 points to lead the offense, while senior Ryan Hoogeveen scored twelve. Freshman Ben Miller added 11 points and eight rebounds, while sophomore Ryan Stock netted ten points in the game. Northwestern shot 42 percent from the field.
NW followed that up with a heart-breaking loss to seventh-ranked Dakota Wesleyan on Wednesday. The Raiders held the lead until three minutes of play were left when a Tiger lay-up put them ahead, 76-75. The rest of the game was back and forth, with Dakota Wesleyan claiming the victory, 88-86. Hoogeveen had a career night, scoring 24 points to lead NW. Van Kalsbeek added 17 points and nine rebounds. Senior Brent Dunkelberger earned his second double-double of the season, scoring 12 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Miller dished out seven assists for the Raiders, while freshman Mike Vorwald had three steals. NW shot 44 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the arc.
The Raiders finish their regular season at home for parent’s day and senior day, hosting USF on Saturday, Feb. 20 at 4 p.m.