The Northwestern Raiders women’s basketball team extended their winning streak to six games this past Saturday, beating the Concordia Bulldogs 74-68. No. 14-ranked NW improves to 19-3 overall and 11-3 in the GPAC, while No. 19-ranked Concordia is now 12-9 overall and 9-6 in the GPAC.
Double-double performances from senior, Taylor VanderVelde, and sophomore, Molly Schany, led the Raiders to victory, avenging their Dec. 4 overtime loss to the Bulldogs. NW’s strong defensive presence set the tone for the game, holding their opponent to 39.1% field goal percentage and only 68 points, well below Concordia’s season averages in both fields.
Holding the Bulldogs to only 10 points in the first quarter, the Raiders held a consistent lead throughout the night. A 13-2 scoring run to finish the first quarter and begin the second quarter, gave NW what would be their largest lead of the game at 11. To finish the first half, though, CU went on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to just two at halftime.
Momentum continued to swing back and forth throughout the third quarter, but CU never led. NW finished the third frame on a stretch, shooting six of seven from the field to extend their lead to eight heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
A final push by CU tied the game back up at 62-62 with six minutes left to go in the fourth quarter. However, some key rebounds and timely scores from senior, Devyn Kemble, and Schany, would help NW maintain control. The Raiders shot eight for 14 from the free throw line in the final frame, which was enough to hold off the Bulldogs with a final score of 74-68.
With this win, NW solidifies their spot in second place in the GPAC standings, behind only the No. 8-ranked Morningside University Mustangs (17-3 overall, 13-1 GPAC). The Raiders handed MSU their only GPAC loss earlier in the season and look to complete a season sweep as they hit the road for a top-15 matchup Wednesday, January 26. The game will be played in Sioux City at the Rosen Verdoorn Sports Center with a 6 p.m. start time. 
