The men’s basketball team played at home for the first time this season and made it count as the Raiders won two games during the Pizza Ranch Classic this past weekend.
“It was wonderful to play at home. We have great fans and we appreciate their support,” said Head Coach Kris Korver.
Friday night, the Raiders scored 51 points in the first half and added 57 more in the second half to annihilate Grace University 108-69 for their first win of the season.
“The guys played unselfishly. It was great to see unselfish ball movement,” Korver said. “When we share the basketball and get everyone involved, good things happen. It was enjoyable to watch our guys get that first win this season under their belt.”
Freshman Daniel Van Kalsbeek led the team with 18 points, seven rebounds, a block and a steal. Sophomore Walker Seim had 13 points, four rebounds, a block and a steal and freshman Ben Miller had 11 points, four rebounds, two blocks and three steals.
On Saturday, Nov. 14, the team added their second win of the season in a close victory over Kansas Wesleyan 86-83.
“We took care of the basketball, we won the free throw battle and we made the two or three plays down the stretch needed to win the contest,” Korver said.
At the end of the first period, Northwestern was up 40-36. The team was able to hold off a Kansas Wesleyan rally in the second period to keep the score at 46-49 and keep the win for the Raiders.
“As the game progressed and reached the last 10 minutes of the second half we began to see Kansas Wesleyan fatigue,” Korver said. “We wore them down and then made plays to seal the victory.”
Van Kalsbeek again led the team with 24 points, 11 rebounds and two steals, followed closely by Seim with 22 points and four rebounds.
The men’s team plays another home game this Saturday, Nov. 21, against Doane at 4 p.m.
