The Red Raiders women’s basketball team ended their season with a loss against the Morningside College Mustangs 64-73. On Saturday, Feb. 20, the Raiders hosted their last regular season game against Morningside hoping for a win to give them a better seating for the GPAC tournament.
The Raiders held an 11-game winning streak before it came to an end. They were the number three seed with a 16-6 record in the GPAC. It was the Raiders second half turnovers that led them to their defeat against the number one seed in the GPAC.
At half, Northwestern held onto a 33-31 lead. Junior Taylor VanderVelde put in a basket to keep NW in the lead by five, 38-33 early in the third quarter. This was the largest lead in the half. However, the Mustangs responded with a 10-2 run, finishing off with a three pointer. This did not stop NW from fighting back. Freshman Molly Scany, moments after, tied the game for the last time at 43-43. Morningside outscored the raiders 8-2 to slip ahead for good. They ended the third quarter at a tough 51-54, with NW three points behind.
Morningside entered the fourth quarter swinging as five straight points in the fourth quarter pushed them to a lead of 11 points, NW stormed back and trailed by only two points at 61-59, outscoring the Mustangs 14-5 during the four-minute stretch.
NW fought hard but senior Sammy Blum, who gave the team 16 points and nine rebounds, fouling out hurt the fight that they held.
Junior Devyn Kemble gave the team 10 points and two assists.
The Raiders worked hard and continued to prepare for the GPAC tournament despite their rough regular season loss. NW played Midland at home for their first tournament match up on Wednesday, Feb. 24.
The Raider women won their first post-season game 76-54. The Raiders picked up their defense which helped them get out a win and propel them to play number two seed Concordia on Saturday, Feb. 27. NW women’s basketball hopes to beat Concordia to continue in the GPAC tournaments and qualify for the NAIA national championships.
