It wasn’t the storybook start to a season as the Northwestern men’s basketball team fell to Benedictine 78-91 in their season opener on Saturday.
“The guys played hard and the guys played unselfishly,” said Head Coach Kris Korver. “We had moments where we played some good basketball.”
NW kept the score close at the end of the first half 37-42.
“The difference in the contest was about a three- to four-minute spurt where Benedictine went on a 9-0 run to create an eight-point cushion,” Korver said. “Basketball is a game of spurts and runs. We need to understand that in the game of basketball there will be momentum changes. We just need to work on extending our spurts and limiting our opponent’s spurts.”
Twelve different Raiders saw action Saturday, led by sophomore Walker Seim who went 6-10 for 17 points, eight rebounds and a block. Freshman Ben Miller scored 18 points and freshman Daniel Van Kalsbeek scored 14, while both had seven rebounds.
“We committed 21 turnovers in the game and with experience we will improve in this area,” Korver said.
NW was able to out-rebound the Ravens 47-41. The Raiders sunk 44 percent of their shots in the first period, but only 35 percent in the second.
“We have a hard-working group of guys who love the game of basketball and are coming together as a team,” Korver said. “It was a lot of fun watching them experience their first road trip together, their first game together and battling out on the floor together.”
The Raiders play Friday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m., at Jamestown and then Saturday, Nov. 7, 4 p.m., at Valley City.
“Our goal is to come together as a team and become the best team we can. The future is bright for Raider Basketball,” Korver said. “We have a talented group, an unselfish group, and a hard working group.”
