This week the NW basketball teams had a much more relaxed schedule as they only played one game against Midland on January 24.
The women’s team faced off against the Warriors, hoping to continue a winning streak against the team that has lasted nearly five years. Despite an early deficit the Raiders came back quickly and definitively to turn the score around in the first quarter, ending 8-points ahead. As the first half continued the Raiders only got further and further ahead, pushing to a 19-point lead and a halftime score of 50-31. The Warriors gained back some momentum matching the Raiders in points for the third quarter, but never making up their deficit. In the final quarters, the Raiders finished out the game and finished off the Warriors, with a definitive 24-point vitory and a final score of 84-60. Junior Emily Terwee led the team in scoring with 16 points. The victory against Midland has brought the Women’s season record to 10-10 as they look ahead to playing Dordt at home on January 28.
The men’s team took on Midland as well, as they looked to keep the wins coming after some tough losses in early January. The Raiders played a strong offensive game in the first half scoring 48 points by halftime, putting them ahead of the Warriors by 9 points. The Raiders kept up the offense scoring 42 points in the second half, safely clearing Midland’s 36. The Raiders stayed ahead the whole game to finish with 90 points, while Midland failed to catch up losing by 15 points with a final score of 75. Sophomore Jalen Langsy led the team in scoring with 32 points.
The team played a strong offensive game, but head coach Colton Kooima highlighted the strong defensive performance as an important factor in the Raiders’ victory. He said “I thought our players really competed on the defensive end of the floor. We had a big run early in the first half and early in the second half that I thought set the tone for the rest of those halves. Our players played with great energy and togetherness on both sides of the floor. Our defensive effort really impacted the game and helped spark our offensive production.”
The men’s team’s record now sits at 16-5, and their next game will be against Dordt at home on January 28.
Junior Kasen Bailey looks to pass in a previous game against Briar Cliff.
