Nathan Wedel scored a game-high 28 points in leading 11th-ranked Northwestern to a 66-57 home win over No.9 Morningside Wednesday night at the Bultman Center. The Red Raiders earn a split in the season series against the Mustangs and improve to 8-4 in the GPAC, 18-4 overall.
Head coach
Kris Korver's squad used an inspired defensive effort, holding one of the top shooting teams in the NAIA to just 34% from the field and 30 points below their season scoring average. Northwestern also held a commanding 45-32 edge on the boards, limiting the Mustangs to just one offensive rebound for the game.
Northwestern trailed just once (3-2) and then surged ahead for good with a basket by
Steven Kragt followed by the first of Buysse's four three-pointers. Leading by one, the Red Raiders outscored Morningside 14-3 to take a 29-17 lead with two minutes left in the first half. Buysse knocked down a pair of three's and Wedel hit another during the scoring run.
Both teams struggled shooting in a first half dominated by defense with Northwestern shooting 38% and Morningside just 33% from the field. The hosts held a 31-23 advantage at intermission.
Consecutive baskets by Morningside forward Trey Brown made it a five point game (33-28) in the opening minutes of the second half. Northwestern, however, pushed the lead back up to 11 (45-34) behind the play of Wedel, who scored eight straight points during the 12-6 surge.
A couple of free throws by Zach Imig brought the visitors within six (48-42) at the 10-minute mark but the Red Raiders put the game away with a 10-2 run, capped by a Wedel three-pointer and a Buysse jumper from the wing. Morningside would not get any closer than seven during the final five-plus minutes.
Northwestern shot 41% for the game, led by Wedel who scored 21 of his 28 points over the final 20 minutes. The senior also pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds and dished out three assists.
Riley Francis added 10 points and six boards.
Brown led the Mustangs' scoring effort with 10 points and Imig added nine while three others, Brody Egger, Alex Borchers and Tyler Borchers, scored eight points each. Morningside drops to 17-5 on the season, 9-3 in the GPAC.
