Stringent Defense Leads NU to 74-40 Victory Over EIU

12/22/2017 6:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season Stats (PDF)Post-Game Press Conference

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern got a holiday treat Friday evening as four Wildcats finished with double-digits in scoring en route to a 74-40 win over Eastern Illinois in NU's non-conference finale at historic Beardsley Gym.

Among the 'Cats with double-digits was sophomore forward Bryana Hopkins, who amassed a career-high 13 points. Sophomore forward Abi Scheid finished with 14 points, picking up her 12th game with 10-plus points in 14 games this season.

Junior forward Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah posted her team-leading sixth double-double of the 2017-18 campaign, notching 10 points and 13 rebounds.

The Wildcats out-shot EIU from the field, 51.8 percent to 29.8 percent. Chicago's Big Ten Team was able to dominate the post in the contest, amassing 34 points in the paint, compared to only 16 for EIU.

After a low-post jumper from Scheid to start the game, Northwestern never trailed. The Wildcats got off to a rousing 24-5 lead over the Panthers to end the first period, thanks to a period-ending 17-0 run.

Kunaiyi-Akpanah blazed the way in the first quarter, amassing eight points on 4-of-5 shooting. She also added a team-high three steals and and four rebounds.

Eastern Illinois's five points in the first quarter were the fewest NU has allowed in a first period all year and the second-fewest in any quarter all year.

The second quarter told much of the same story. The 'Cats outscored the Panthers, 18-7, with NU holding a 30-point advantage heading into the second half of the contest. NU went 3-for-3 from beyond the arc in the period and shot 63.6 percent overall (7-for-11).

NU was able to glide its way to victory in the second half, outscoring EIU, 32-28, as the Wildcats limited the Panthers to only 34.5 percent shooting.

Chicago's Big Ten Team starts the Big Ten slate Dec. 28 when the Wildcats host Minnesota at historic Beardsley Gym, with tip slated for 7 p.m.

Team Notes

Northwestern improved to 12-0 against Eastern Illinois … The two squads have matched up since 1977 … NU is now 2-0 against the Panthers in the Joe McKeown era.
Head Coach Joe McKeown improves to 91-33 (.734) in non-conference play at Northwestern.
The Wildcats shot 5-of-14 (35.7%) from beyond the arc against EIU … NU came into the contest ranking fourth in the Big Ten in three point shooting.
Northwestern allowed the Panthers to score only 12 points in the first half … That is the fewest points allowed in any half all year.
- EIU only mustered five points in the first quarter … That is the fewest in a first quarter against Northwestern all year and the second-fewest in any quarter all year.

Individual Notes

Junior forward Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah recorded five steals, her career-high and the most by a Wildcat this season … Posted her sixth double-double this season, a team high.
Sophomore forward Abi Scheid notched double-digits in points for the 12th time this season … She finished with 14 points … She improved her points per game average this season to 13.1.
First year guard Lindsey Pulliam finished with a team-high 15 points … She came into the game leading all Big Ten newcomers in points per game.
Sophomore guard Byrdy Galernik has made a three-pointer in back-to-back games … She scored eight points overall.

Career Highs

Bry Hopkins: Points (13), FGM (5), FGA (10), 3PTM (1; tied), 3PTA (2), Steals (2; tied)
Lindsey Pulliam: 3PTM (1; tied), 3PTA (2; tied), Assists (3; tied)
Brooke Pikiell: Assists (2), Minutes (15)
Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah: Steals (5)
Abbie Wolf: Points (8), Assists (2), Minutes (12), FTA (6)
Byrdy Galernik: Rebounds (5; tied)
Oceana Hamilton: 3PTA (1; tied), Assists (2; tied)