This is the second meeting between these two teams. The first meeting came in the Round of 8 in the 2008-2009 NAIA Division II National Tournament when the Red Raiders defeated the top-seeded and fourth-ranked Panthers 76-66. The Panthers trailed 41-34 at the half but scored the first 4 points of the second half to cut the Northwestern lead to three. The Red Raiders rebounded with a run of their own to push their lead back out to 66-51. The Panthers would get as close as nine but couldn't overtake Northwestern to end Davenport's run in the Tournament.

Statistically these two teams are very similar. Davenport leads all of NAIA D2 averaging 93.80 points per game with Northwestern in the second spot averaging 89.15 points per game. While neither team ranks high in scoring defense, their strong offenses gives Northwestern (27.23 ppg) and Davenport (25.6 ppg) the fourth and fifth highest scoring margins, respectively. The teams are one-two in assists per game with Davenport at 22.2 assists per game holding a slight edge over Northwestern at 21.77 assists per game. Both teams rank well in steals, turnover margin, and assist to turnover ratio with the Panthers having a slight advantage in steals and turnover margin while Northwestern takes the assists to turnover ratio.

While neither team should have a problem scoring, the way each team goes about it are quite different. Davenport uses a fast tempo and strong rebounding to outshoot their opponents. The Panthers are sixth in the nation in offensive rebounds per game averaging 18. The Red Raiders use a more controlled style of play, waiting for an open and high percentage shot. Northwestern leads the country in field goal percentage shooting 52.5% from the field and the Red Raiders rank fifth from behind the arc shooting 39.9%.

The Lady Panthers have started at least 15-0 for a third time in their history with the last coming in the 2008-2009 season when they started 18-0. Davenport is coming off two wins in Amherst, N.Y. when they defeated No. 14 Daemen College (N.Y.) and Laurentian University (Canada).

The Panthers struggled against the fourteenth ranked Wildcats of Daemen College on Sunday. After taking a 43-37 lead going into halftime, the Panthers extended their lead to 55-44 early in the second half. But Daemen wouldn't go away and eventually tied the game at 86 with a few minutes remaining. Neither team would capitalize on their free throw opportunities down the stretch which sent the Panthers into their first overtime game since the 2006-2007 season. Davenport scored 11 of the first 13 points in the extra time en route to a 104-95 OT win.

The Panthers rebounded from the close game with Daemen by routing Laurentian University 87-46. Davenport got off to a blazing start against the Voyagers taking a 52-23 lead into the half. The Panthers were able to cruise the rest of the way and get their bench some valuable playing time heading into the match up against Northwestern and the second half of the season.

Notable wins for the Panthers are at No. 21 Hastings College (Neb.), No. 23 Briar Cliff University (Iowa) (neutral site), No. 12 University of Cumberlands (Ky.) (NAIA D1) (neutral site), at Georgetown College (NAIA D1), at #RV Carroll College (Mont.) (NAIA D1), and at #RV Montana Tech (NAIA D1).

Kallie Benike, who was named the WHAC Player of the Week for the ninth time in her career last week, is leading the Panthers in scoring (15.33 ppg) and rebounding (7.40 rpg). The senior guard was named to the 1^st Team All-WHAC and a NAIA 2^nd Team All-American last year for the Panthers. She posted a career high 27 points to go along with 8 rebounds in the Panthers overtime win against No. 14 Daemen College on Sunday.

Kristi Boehm is a returning NAIA 2^nd Team All-American and 1^st Team All-WHAC member. She holds the school records for both steals and assists in a career. This season Kristi is averaging 4.53 assists per game and 4.07 steals per game which ranks 2^nd and 19^th respectively among all NAIA Division 2 players. Kristi is second in scoring for the Panthers with 10.67 points per game.

Carrie Grubius has started 11 of the Panthers 15 games this season and has averaged 7.7 points per game and has tallied 22 assists and 18 steals. She has averaged 5 points in Davenport's last four games but she has scored in double digits on four occasions this season including a season high 19 against Robert Morris University (Ill.).

Jeannie Closson was honored on the All-WHAC Defensive Team last season when she broke the school record for blocks in a season with 74. This season Jeannie has averaged 10.1 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game, and has accumulated 13 blocks. Closson has scored in double digits in 8 of the Panthers 15 games this season including averaging 16 points in the last two games.

Riana Hensley is averaging 8.9 points and 6.1 rebounds in her first season as a Panther. The junior transfer from the University of Akron has also recorded 17 assists, 17 blocks (tied for a team high), and 32 steals at the halfway point in the season.

Davenport relies on their bench to pick up the pace when their starters struggle. The Panthers have eight players that average at least 7 points, three of which are players that come off the bench.

Karlee Despres is averaging 9 points per game this season and has scored in double digits in 4 of the last 5 games. She has also tallied 23 assists and 12 steals off the bench. Karlee is also a threat from deep, leading the team in three points made with 22. She is shooting 38.6 percent from behind the arc.

Julie Janish is leading the Panthers in free throw percentage (84.6%) among players that have taken a minimum of 15 attempts. Her 7.9 points per game and high free throw percentage is key for the Panthers down the stretch.

Leah Sevcik had a season high 23 points on December 11^th against Concordia (Mich.). She has averaged 7.07 points on the season to go along with 3.3 rebounds.

Northwestern has won 18 games in a row dating back to last year's national championship season. The championship was the school's third all-time and second in the last three years. The Red Raiders have won all 13 of their games this season, most in convincing fashion.

Northwestern is nearing the end of a six game round trip that saw the team beat Dordt, Hastings, No. 3 Morningside, and Buena Vista. After the Red Raiders play Davenport they will take on No. 5 Cornerstone on the campus of Davenport to conclude the road trip.

In a matchup of NAIA top 5's earlier this year, Northwestern defeated the third-ranked Morningside Mustangs in Sioux City, Iowa. With the game close most of the way, the Red Raiders used a 9-0 run to pull away in the middle of the second half. Northwestern would hit some clutch shots down the stretch to put away Morningside 82-72.

In the game leading up to the one-two matchup, Northwestern defeated Buena Vista 107-76. The Red Raiders jumped out early and never looked back in this one. Northwestern lead 52-36 at the half and lead by more than 20 points most of the second half.

Notable wins for Northwestern are at No. 23 Briar Cliff University (Iowa) and at No. 3 Morningside.

Becca Hurley will lead Northwestern against Davenport. She is averaging 22 points a game which ranks fifth in Division 2. In addition, Hurley is averaging 6.31 rebounds and 5.77 assists per game. The returning first team All-American has scored in double digits in all but one game this year and has scored more than 20 points in 4 of her last 5 games including a 30 and 36 point game.

Kendra De Jong is averaging 19.46 point per game for the Red Raiders while shooting 61.9% from the field. She is also averaging 8.38 rebounds which is a team high. De Jong, who is a sophomore, earned the GPAC freshman of the year last year by averaging 14.1 points and 6.4 rebounds. She has 3 double-double on the year.

Kami Kuhlmann averages 14.77 points per game. Kuhlmann shoots 79.4% from the free throw line and 33.3% from behind the arc.

Val Kleinjan has started every game for the Red Raiders this season and has averaged 8.31 points per game. Val ranks 22^nd in Division 2 with 31 made three pointers on the season, making 2.385 per game. She shoots 42.5% from long distance.

Mel Babcock rounds off the starters for Northwestern. Mel, coming off an injury shortened season last year, is averaging 4 points per game and 4.62 rebounds per game.

The starting five for Northwestern has started every game for the Red Raiders this season. A couple key players off the bench are Samantha Kleinsasser and Allison Hulst.

Samantha Kleinsasser is averaging 7.6 points and 3.6 rebounds in the 17.3 minutes that she averages per game.

Allison Hulst is averaging 5.2 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game. She is averaging 19.5 minutes per game. Hulst has also recorded 38 assists in the 12 games that she has played in.