The Northwestern College women remain third in the latest NAIA top 25. After making it to the final four last season coach Earl Woudstra’s team is 12-2 heading into the Christmas break. He says it is a new season and they’re playing better defense and rebounding better.

The Raiders have been tough to stop. They average 80 points per game and as a team are shooting just over 50 percent from the field. Woudstra says they have great shooters who’re shooting a good percentage. Woudstra says the good percentage is due to them taking good shots.

Woudstra says there are some areas his team needs to improve in. He says they turn the ball over a little too often and some of that could be due to carelessness. He says they also give up too many rebounds. Northwestern returns to action after Christmas with a couple of games in California. Morningside is ranked ninth and Mount Mercy is 25th.