Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
NIU
Women's Basketball Opens With a Win, 77-63
11/21/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 21, 2000
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern women's basketball team opened the 2000-01 regular season in grand fashion, defeating Northern Illinois 77-63 behind an outstanding performance by Leslie Dolland (Bloomington, Minn./The Blake School). Dolland had 21 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double to lead the Wildcats in DeKalb.
The host Huskies proved to be a pesky bunch early, staying within single digits the entire first half and closing NU's lead to just two (31-29) at the half, but the Wildcats ultimately proved to be too much for NIU.
Northern Illinois came out at the halftime break and lingered around until a three-pointer by Ashley Messenger (Scottsdale, Ariz./Sagurao) from the right wing gave the Wildcats a 10-point lead. The Wildcats then picked up the intensity, got the Huskies' leading scorer in foul trouble, and ran the floor in transition to get some easy baskets. NIU would get as close as four (60-56) down the stretch, but Northwestern ended up cruising to the victory.
Emily Butler (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) helped the cause led by Dolland with 14 points, while Nicole Daniels (White Plains, N.Y./White Plains) added 11.
The Wildcats are back in action on Friday, Nov. 24 when they host Miami (Fla.) at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
