Game Recap: Lancers Fall to Red Raiders in Hard-Fought Rematch

Date: February 7, 2026

Final Score: Northwestern 76, Mount Marty 66

In a battle between two of the GPAC's top contenders, the Mount Marty Lancers (11-11, 10-7 GPAC) couldn't quite replicate their earlier-season magic against Northwestern (20-5, 12-5 GPAC). Despite a gritty performance that kept the game within two points at halftime, the Red Raiders' high-efficiency offense proved too much to overcome in the second half.

The Story: Van Kalsbeek Takes Control

The first half was a defensive slugfest. Mount Marty's game plan was clear: frustrate the Red Raiders and win the battle of wills in the paint. They went into the locker room trailing only 33-31, looking poised for another upset.

However, the second half belonged to Northwestern's Jesse Van Kalsbeek. The Lancer defense had no answer for the senior forward, who put up a staggering 36 points and 10 rebounds. While Mount Marty countered with high-effort rebounding and second-chance opportunities, Northwestern's clinical 54.9% shooting from the field eventually allowed them to stretch the lead to double digits.

Lancer Standouts

• Jake Jensen: Kept the Lancers in the hunt with his perimeter shooting, finishing with 16 points and knocking down four 3-pointers.

• Jackson Edman: Provided a massive physical presence, scoring 15 points and going a strong 6-of-7 from the free-throw line.

• Sutton Arend: Continued his consistent play with 15 points and 5 rebounds, playing through heavy defensive pressure.

• Deegan Williams: Orchestrated the offense with 10 points and a team-high 5 assists, while also grabbing 5 rebounds.

The Tactical Breakdown

• The Glass Attack: If there's a silver lining for the Lancers, it's their hustle. Mount Marty hauled in 16 offensive rebounds, nearly quadrupling Northwestern's total (5). They played with incredible heart, but the shots simply didn't fall at the same rate as their opponents.

• Efficiency Gap: Northwestern's efficiency was the separator. The Red Raiders shot nearly 55% from the floor, while the Lancers were held to 37.3%.

• Turnover Poise: Both teams played remarkably clean basketball. Mount Marty only committed 8 turnovers all night, showing the discipline that has kept them competitive in the GPAC all year.

Men's Basketball: Fighting for a Home Game

Despite the loss today, the Men are still in a strong position. They currently sit at 10-7 in conference play, which puts them in a tight race for a top-4 seed.

• Current Standing: 4th or 5th (battling with Concordia and Briar Cliff).

• Seeding Impact: The top 4 teams in the GPAC host their opening-round tournament game on February 25. To secure a home game at Cimpl Arena, the Lancers likely need to win at least 2 of their final 3 games to stay ahead of a surging Briar Cliff squad.