Raider women recover after dropping key game

The Northwestern women’s basketball team went on the road Wednesday night and defeated Mount Marty 71-57. The Raiders improved to 13-4 in the GPAC, and 19-6 on the season.
Junior forward Kendra De Jong led the Raiders with 16 points and 9 rebounds, but it was the defensive effort that won the game for NW. The Raiders held Mount Marty to just 3-19 shooting from three-point range.
“Mount Marty has good balance in scoring on the perimeter and inside,” said head coach Chris Yaw. “It [was a] great opportunity for us to play another good team on the road.”
NW also owned a big advantage on the boards, out-rebounding the Lancers 43-27. Senior guard Kami Kuhlmann added 12 points for the Raiders, while freshman Karen Hutson contributed nine off the bench.
On Monday, the Raiders lost a tough road game to second-ranked Concordia 76-62. Concordia went on a 16-0 run in the second half, from which NW never recovered.
“They didn’t do anything special [during the run] but make baskets when we didn’t,” De Jong said. “We were getting shots but we were not making them, and they were hitting theirs. We started being passive and just settling for the easy shot instead of attacking the basket.”
NW also turned the ball over 26 times, while Concordia had just nine.
“The turnovers had a definite impact on the outcome,” Yaw said. “I believe they scored 28 points off our turnovers.”
De Jong was more blunt with her observation.
“[Turnovers are] the reason why we lost,” De Jong said. “In every other area we were matched evenly with them.”
De Jong led NW scorers with 12, while sophomore guard Kenzie Small chipped in nine. Sophomore forward Alli Dunkelberger led the Raiders in rebounds with eight.
NW stayed close until half-time, leading at the break 32-29. The Raiders shot 50 percent in the first half, but cooled down to 43 percent in the second.
“Defensively we remained pretty consistent throughout,” Yaw said. “We did lose track of their shooters a couple of times in the second half. We also had a few turnovers that led to layups that we had no chance to defend.”
Concordia shot just 34 percent for the game, but improved to 44 percent in the second half. Concordia’s leading scorer dropped a game high of 27.
“This game is a good reminder for us,” De Jong said. “We need to continue playing together for each other and have passion for the game.”
The Raiders will look to rebound in a battle with Doane in the Bultman at 2 p.m. on Saturday.