WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The University of Northwestern women’s basketball team competed in the NCCAA Dl National Championship game Saturday afternoon at Grace College against Alice Lloyd College (ALC) (KY.). The Eagles kept up with Alice Lloyd for most of the game, but were unable to gain the lead, falling 68-53.

UNW ends their 2020-21 season 17-6 overall and 7-1 in conference play. The team finishes fifth all-time in top 10 single season records. Earlier in the year, Northwestern was on an eight game winning streak, also fifth all-time in top consecutive wins in a single season.

ALC began the game shooting well and continued throughout the game, connecting on key buckets repeatedly. The Eagles did not give up and continued to battle through droughts of scoring.

Alice Lloyd went on an eight-point run to start the game before a shot for Brooklyn De Kam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) broke the seal. Northwestern came within one, just under five minutes left in the first off of a put-back bucket by Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy). Quarter one ended UNW down 16-11.

UNW scored the first points in quarter two before ALC eventually extended their lead to 12 with 3:34 left in the half. Courtney Schmidt (Spring Valley, Minn./Kingsland) cut the lead to 10 with a bucket in the paint, before another put-back by Brooklyn De Kam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) to bring the Eagles within eight.

In the first half, Northwestern scored 16 points in the paint to ALC’s four.

UNW showed their grit and determination by again scoring the first five points of the half coming within three of Alice Lloyd, 28-31. With tough defense each time down the court, the Eagles were unable to keep shots out of the hoop for ALC, heading into quarter four down six, 38-44.

Two quick threes by Alice Lloyd granted a timeout by head coach Aaron Kahl to get things situated for the last nine minutes of play. Although they battled, Northwestern was unable to get past the 10-point deficit they found themselves down for the rest of the quarter, falling 68-53 to ALC.

UNW fought hard and tough during the entire tournament and definitely earned their rank of second place at the NCCAA Dl National Championships.

Megan Roberts (Greeley, Colo./Dayspring Christian Academy) finished with another double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Brooklyn De Kam (Edgerton, Minn./Southwest MN Christian) had another amazing performance netting 15. Courtney Schmidt (Spring Valley, Minn./Kingsland) had 10 points and Jordan Sauve (Blaine, Minn./Blaine)added six.

(Photo and article courtesy of University of Northwestern athletic department.)