The basketball courts of Northwestern were filled with women participating in the Pizza Ranch Classic. Sioux Falls, Waldorf, MidAmerica Nazerene and NW were the competition and the Raider women did not disappoint.
Their first game was played on Friday, Nov. 13, against Waldorf with an 81-58 NW win.
The first half ended with NW 17 points ahead and after 38 additional points in the second half, the team had achieved the win.
Many players scored double digits for the team. The game high was 18 points attributed to sophomore Kami Kuhlmann. Other major scorers were freshman Kendra De Jong (15), junior Becca Hurley (13) and junior Kristen Neth (10).
The next day they challenged MidAmerica Nazarene and came out once again on top with the score 72–57. This was a high-scoring game for the team with Kuhlmann netting 26 points for the team and Hurley following with 20. Hurley hit the 1,000 point marker in her career, one of 23 in the history of the program to achieve such a feat.
Hurley believes that the team is “moving in the right direction, getting better, but still have a lot of room to improve.”
The Raiders continue to work hard in each practice and game because it is important that each member brings something to the floor, according to Hurley. Each player strives to “play within their roles” which will guide them to continued success of the court.
Working toward a common goal of improvement, Hurley believes it is “going to be an exciting and enjoyable season.”
On Saturday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m. the regular conference play begins against Doane on the home court. This leaves their non-conference record at 4-1.
Following Doane, NW will play Mount Marty on Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 6 p.m. in Yankton, S.D.
