SIOUX FALLS
With the GPAC and NAIA National Tournaments nearing, the NW Red Raiders took care of their first item of business by defeating the University of Sioux Falls, 85-75 on Feb. 21 to claim their fourth consecutive regular season GPAC crown in Orange City.
The Cougars busted out to a 10-0 lead to start the game, but the Raiders controlled the first half on the heels of a 39-11 scoring run and took an 18 point halftime lead. Senior Marcus Leloux scored 21 points to lead the Raiders in victory.
“When you win a conference championship it shows what it means to persevere,” said Head Coach Kris Korver. “It’s a great accomplishment.”
DAKOTA WESLEYAN
NW built a 23 point halftime advantage and cruised to a 90-70 victory Feb. 24 in the first round of the GPAC postseason tournament at the Bultman Center.
Junior guard Corey Winterfeld led a balanced Raider scoring attack with 14 points. Junior Kyle Hiemstra scored 13 points and pulled down a team-high nine rebounds. Three other Raiders scored in double figures for the game.
DOANE
The Doane Tigers avenged their 32 point regular season loss to NW, by upsetting the 12th ranked Raiders 71-64 in the semi-finals of the GPAC tournament on Feb. 27 in Orange City.
Doane scored the game’s first six points and never trailed in the contest. It appeared the Raiders were about to make a run after tying the game at 46, but the Tigers re-established their lead and NW was never able to make a charge late in the game.
Junior Cody Kuipers paced the hosts with 15 points and collected nine rebounds.
“We didn’t play as passionately as we had been. We played hard but didn’t bring it for a full 40 minutes,” said Korver.
HUNTINGTON
After drawing the 13th seed in the annual NAIA National Tournament, the Red Raiders were upset in overtime by the unseeded Huntington (IN) Foresters, 103-100, in Point Lookout, Missouri.
Huntington clung to a one-point halftime lead and the contest stayed close the entire game. Leading by six points with seven seconds remaining, the Raiders committed a foul on a Forester 3-point attempt. Huntington converted on all three free-throws to cut the lead to 3 and sent sophomore Jeff Schaap to the line with a change to put the game away. But Schaap missed two free throws and Huntington nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer to send the game to overtime.
In the overtime period, Huntington outscored the Raiders 9-6 and senior Nick Harthoorn’s three-point attempt at the buzzer fell off the rim.
“I don’t think anyone was pleased just to get there, but we’re really really proud of our players and how we grew as a team,” said Korver.
Jeff Schaap was red hot from the field converting on 17-of-19 shots and 38 points while grabbing 11 rebounds. Leloux concluded his career with 20 points.
HONORS
Junior Corey Winterfeld and Leloux were named to the GPAC 1st team All-Conference. Kuipers was a 2nd team selection and Hiemstra was named honorable mention. In addition Leloux was named honorable mention All-American.
