WICHITA, Kan. – A top-25 matchup in the season opener saw No. 8 Northwestern take down No. 24 Friends (Kan.) behind a pair of 30+-point performances by Jesse Van Kalsbeek and Jalen Langsy.
Northwestern opened the first half with a strong offensive effort, highlighted by Van Kalsbeek’s consistent scoring in the paint. The Raiders quickly established a rhythm with efficient shooting, including multiple made threes from Jalen Langsy and Manny Hammonds. The Red Raiders’ defense also capitalized on the Falcons’ turnovers, converting them into scoring opportunities.
Midway through the half, the Raiders extended their lead with a series of buckets, including a notable three-pointer from Grant Tigges, which widened the gap to 47-25.
As the half concluded, the Raiders maintained their scoring advantage, closing out with a 54-34 lead over the Falcons. This lead was bolstered by their dominance in the paint and an efficient 66.7% mark from the field.
Northwestern began the second half with strong offensive momentum, highlighted by Langsy’s three-pointer and a series of successful free throws from Van Kalsbeek. This offensive push was complemented by a pair of assists from Tigges, helping to maintain the tempo and make the score 68-43 with four minutes played in the second half. The Raiders’ defense was bolstered by two blocks and two steals, but turnovers allowed the Falcons to capitalize on several possessions, keeping the game competitive.
Despite the Falcons’ efforts to close the gap with a 22-4 run later in the half, the Raiders went 7-for-8 in the final three minutes and added a triple from Tigges to secure a 95-87 win in the opener.
GAME NOTES
- Jesse Van Kalsbeek dropped a career-high 40 points, also recording a double-double with 11 rebounds.
- Van Kalsbeek’s 40-point double-double was Northwestern’s first in the last decade.
- Jalen Langsy also hit a career-high 31 points, making eight shots from beyond the arc.
- Grant Tigges put up a solid line of 12 points, six assists, five boards, and two steals.
- Manny Hammonds scored 10 points in his Red Raider debut.
- The Raiders shot 66.7% from the field in the first half.
- The win marked Colton Kooima‘s first head coaching win in his debut.
Up Next: Northwestern will play its home opener on Tuesday, hosting Central (Iowa) at 7:00 p.m.