Briar Cliff at Northwestern

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Eight straight points at the start of overtime led third-ranked Northwestern to a 118-105 win over #15 Briar Cliff in non-conference women's basketball action Saturday afternoon. The Red Raiders improved to 14-2 overall while the visiting Chargers fell to 13-3.

Kendra DeJong led five Northwestern players in double figures with a career-high 31 points, making 12-of-17 field goal attempts. Becca Hurley scored all 19 points in the second half and overtime period. She also pulled down 12 rebounds for her third double-double of the season and came one assist shy of a triple-double. Katie Nieuwsma (16) and Kami Kuhlmann (15) were also in double figures.

After an early BCU lead, Northwestern took control with a 10-0 run and opened up a 35-23 lead. Val Kleinjan and Kristin Neth each hit a three-pointer during the run. The Chargers, however, outscored NWC 17-4 to close the half and after back-to-back lay-ups by Liz Grider, BCU took a 40-39 into the halftime locker room.

Leading by one (56-55), Briar Cliff went on a 7-1 run and held its biggest lead, 63-56, with 13:30 left to play. Northwestern responded and after a Kami Kuhlmann lay-up, tied the game at 72 at the 10 minute mark. The final 10 minutes featured 10 ties and seven lead changes. The Red Raiders went on a 6-0 run and grabbed a 96-94 lead with 1:32 left but BCU tied it at 96 on a lay-up by Megan Salcedo. A basket by Randa Hulstein put NWC back in front but Grider scored and drew a foul on the ensuing possession to tie the game at 98. She missed the free throw and both teams came up with defensive stops during the final 30 seconds to send the game into overtime.

Northwestern scored the first eight points of the extra period, sparked by back-to-back three-point plays by Hulstein and Katie Nieuwsma. A three-pointer by Kylie Dilla cut the NWC lead to five but the Raiders closed the game with 10 straight points to earn their sixth consecutive win.

Coach Woudstra's squad shot 53% for the game, including 59% in the second half and 67% in the overtime. The Raiders held a 48-36 advantage on the glass, led by Hurley with 12 and Hulstein with seven.

Liz Grider scored a game-high 46 points but was held scoreless in the overtime. Megan Salcedo added 22 points, going 8-for-9 from the field.

Northwestern heads to Mitchell, S.D. to play Dakota Wesleyan on Jan. 6.