Game Time... The Red Raiders return to action this evening in Sioux City, Iowa, as they play Briar Cliff in GPAC women's basketball action. Northwestern, ranked second in the NAIA, is 16-1 overall, 6-0 in the GPAC, while the Chargers are 10-10 overall, 4-4 in the league. Tipoff for the women's game is at 6:00 pm and it can be heard over the NWC web-site at the following link: Audio
Scouting Report... Head Coach Mike Power is in his second season at BCU and returns just five of his top 12 players from a 2006-07 squad that finished with a 9-22 overall record, 6-12 in the GPAC. This season, the Chargers are 10-10 overall and tied with Dakota Wesleyan for sixth place in the league at 4-4. They have defeated USF, Nebraska Wesleyan, Mount Marty and Dana and have lost to Morningside (2x), Midland Lutheran and Concordia. Coach Power's squad is 1-2 since the new year.
As a team, BCU is averaging 72 points per game, fifth best in the GPAC. They rank second in the league in three pointers (182), second in steals (292) and fourth in both three point percentage (35%) and free throw percentage (71%). Defensively, however, the Chargers are last in the GPAC in points per game allowed (74), field goal percentage defense (47%) and rebounding (-9).
Individually, the Chargers are led by sophomore forward, Cat Nelson, who is averaging 13 points per game. The transfer from Dixie State College is shooting 43% from the floor, 83% from the free throw line and pulls down 4.6 boards per game. Jamee Phipps, a junior transfer from Concordia (Neb.) averages 12 points per game and is 10th in the GPAC in three point percentage (43%). She also leads the Chargers with 5.4 rebounds per game. Senior guard Kayla Boyd, a second team all-GPAC selection last year, leads the team with 45 three pointers and averages 10.2 points per game. Sophomore Samantha Pearson averages 7.1 points and three rebounds per game. A deep and talented freshmen class also contribute for coach Mike Power's squad. Kendra Collins (7.5 points, 37 three pointers), Tana Colt (5.9 ppg) and Kelsi Karkosh (4.8 points, 3.1 rebounds) are in the regular rotation. Two other freshmen, guards Michelle Determan and Carly Hansen, the daughter of legendary Iowa Hawkeye star from the early 1980's Bobbie Hansen, are both out with injuries and will not play.
Last Time Out... The Chargers lost to Morningside, 87-51, on Jan. 12 at Allee Gymnasium. It was the second loss of the season to the Mustangs, who remained undefeated in league play. BCU trailed by just eight at the half, 33-25, but was outscored 54-26 in the second half by a Morningside team that made 15 three pointers in the game. The Chargers were out-rebounded 44-30 and committed 30 turnovers in the loss. Cat Nelson scored a game-high 27 points and was the only BCU player in double figures.
Northwestern defeated 24th-ranked Doane last Saturday afternoon, 73-59, to improve to 6-0 in the GPAC. Coach Woudstra's squad led by seven, 31-24, at the half only to have the Tigers roar back to cut the lead down to two, 34-32 as the second half got underway. The Red Raiders responded with a 13-4 run to go back up by double digits and earned the 14 point victory. Northwestern shot a season-low 39% for the game but held the Tigers to just 34%. Debbie Remmerde led all scorers with 29 points followed by Amy Larson with 19.
Red Raider Notes... The Red Raiders have won four straight games since suffering their only loss of the season to NCAA D-II Augustana (S.D.), 80-64. During their win streak, they have defeated three ranked teams: Dakota State, Hastings and Doane. Northwestern, ranked second behind College of the Ozarks in the NAIA poll, is 16-1 overall.
Northwestern as a team ranks in the top five within the league in several statistical categories, including points (90.5-1st), field goal percentage (51%-1st), three pointers (152-3rd), three point percentage (44%-1st), free throw percentage (73%-3rd), rebounding (+5-3rd), assists (344-1st), blocks (86-2nd), field goal percentage defense (38%-1st) and three point percentage defense (27%-2). On the national level, they are first in field goal and three point percentage and second in points per game. Debbie Remmerde leads the nation in scoring at 29.2 points per game. She is just eight points shy of breaking the all-time NAIA D-II women's basketball scoring record of 3,236 held by Brittany Smart (Cedarville, Ohio).Remmerde needs just 20 points to surpass former BCU star Cheryl Dreckman (1987-90) as Iowa's All-time women's collegiate scoring leader (3,248). Amy Larson ranks fourth in the league averaging 17.8 points per game and is second only to Remmerde in three pointers with 59 (Remmerde has 60). Crystal Algood leads the team in rebounding at 7.6 boards per game to go with 10.2 points per game. The program's all-time leading shot blocker leads the GPAC with 53 blocks this season and is shooting 60% from the floor. Miranda Boekhout, the school's all-time leader in assists, is second in the GPAC with 85 assists to go with 6.5 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Mandy Carr is third in the league with 84 assists and leads the team with 32 assists. Top reserves for NWC are Becca Hurley (8.5ppg) and Randa Hulstein (8.1 ppg).
Next up... The Red Raiders will have the rest of the week off before a stretch in which they will play three games in six days, beginning with Monday, Jan. 21 at home against Midland Lutheran.
2007-08 media guide
