Northwestern’s women’s basketball team (22-6, 14-6 GPAC) defeated Mount Marty (2-25, 1-19 GPAC) 63-52 in the conference match up on Saturday, Feb. 12. The Raiders finished the game with four players in double figures, where junior Maddie Jones led the team with 18 points, tying her career-high points in a game.
It was a slow start for the Raiders who were down 9-2 early in the game. However, back-to-back threes from NW pulled them within three points from the Lancers. Eight points in the first quarter from the Lancer’s Kiara Berndt helped them keep the lead 20-17 after one quarter of play.
Jones completed a three-point play to tie the game early in the second quarter. Followed by back-to-back threes gave the Lancers a six-point lead. NW would respond with a 14-0 run to end the first half, taking a 34-26 lead into the half. Jones led with seven points in the quarter. The Raider’s defense held Mount Marty to 14.3 percent from the field and shoot 63.6 percent on the offensive side.
A layup from junior Hannah Nerem pushed NW to a 10-point lead. Both teams traded buckets throughout the game. NW secured the lead 48-40 into the final frame of the game.
With another layup to open the fourth quarter by senior Taylor VanderVelde gave NW a 10-point lead. The Lancers pulled within five, but Jones answered with two made free throws, followed by two more free throws by senior Jada Cunningham. A three-point play for Jones gave the Raiders a twelve-point lead and NW their 14th conference win of the season.
Jones would end the game to lead the Raiders with 18 points, tying her career high. She went a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line and led the team with three assists for the game. VanderVelde also finished in the double-digits with 10 points, she grabbed seven boards. Cunningham, also a part of the action, finished with 10 points, hitting two threes. Sophomore Molly Schany rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10, also leading the team in rebounds in the game with eight. Nerem came off the bench and provided six points and three rebounds, to help the Raiders secure another conference win.
The Raiders defeated No. 24 ranked Dordt on Wednesday, Feb. 16. NW will travel to Hastings, Neb. on Saturday, Feb. 19 to wrap up regular season play against the Broncos.
