Lancers Upend Red Raiders On The Road

Final Score: Mount Marty 72, Northwestern 65

In a gritty conference battle, the Mount Marty Lancers (11-6, 6-5 GPAC) overcame a slow start to secure a hard-fought 72-65 road victory against Northwestern College (8-8, 4-6 GPAC).

How It Happened

The game was a tale of two halves. Northwestern came out firing in the first quarter, doubling up the Lancers 24-12. However, Mount Marty responded immediately in the second frame, tightening their defense to hold the Red Raiders to just 13 points while cutting the deficit to one point by halftime.

The Lancers' momentum carried through the second half, where they consistently outscored Northwestern in both the third and fourth quarters. Mount Marty's ability to get to the free-throw line and capitalize on second-chance opportunities proved to be the difference-maker down the stretch.

Statistical Standouts

For Mount Marty:

• Lacey Sprakel: Was the dominant force on the floor, scoring a game-high 24 points on an efficient 11-of-19 shooting.

• Leah Williams: Provided the spark from deep, hitting four three-pointers on her way to 17 points.

• Alexus Motley: While struggling from the field (2-9), she was aggressive in drawing contact, finishing with 12 points and going 8-of-13 from the charity stripe.

• Alexis Folkers: Anchored the glass, pulling down a massive 10 rebounds to go along with 5 points.

For Northwestern:

• Ashtyn Wobig: Led the Red Raiders with 21 points, including three triples.

• Allison Piercy: Added 11 points and provided strong perimeter defense.

• Margo Schuiteman & Emily TerWee: Combined for 15 rebounds, helping Northwestern win the total rebounding battle 43-25.

Key Factors

• The Charity Stripe: This was the deciding factor. Mount Marty lived at the free-throw line, making 17-of-23 (73.9%) attempts. In contrast, Northwestern only reached the line 6 times, making 3.

• Ball Security: Mount Marty played a clean game with only 12 turnovers, while Northwestern's 18 turnovers led to extra possessions for the Lancers.

• Interior vs. Exterior: Northwestern actually shot a higher percentage from the field (45.8% to 44.4%), but Mount Marty's volume of free throws and timely three-point shooting (46.7%) allowed them to pull away.

Final Thoughts: This win moves Mount Marty to 11-6 on the season and provides a crucial road victory as they climb the GPAC standings. Their ability to weather an early 12-point deficit suggests a high level of composure as they head into the heart of the conference schedule.