Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Gustino Powerblast Wels (exh.)
Women's Basketball Loses Exhibition, 81-71
11/7/2000 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 7, 2000
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern University women's basketball team dropped an 81-71 decision to the Houston Jaguars in exhibition action Tuesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
The game was a nip-and-tuck affair most of the way, but the Jaguars used a 10-2 run late in the second half to turn a 61-59 deficit into a 69-63 lead and never looked back. The Wildcats drew within four on two occasions, but were forced to foul down the stretch and got no closer than eight points in the final two minutes.
Northwestern had four players in double figures, despite playing without its top two returning scorers in Dana Leonard and Tami Sears. Billee Russell led the way with 15 points, while freshman Michelle Zylstra -- playing her first game in a Northwestern uniform -- added 13. Natalie Will displayed a well-rounded game, with 12 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Leslie Dolland had 11 points in just 14 minutes as she battled foul trouble all day.
The Wildcats also showed the ability to move the ball around, with 24 assists on their 28 field goals. Ashley Messenger had seven dishes, while Emily Butler added six to go with nine points.
For Houston, former University of Houston standout Patricia Lucky led all scorers with 24 points. Michelle Murray, formerly of Florida, had 15 points, while former Nebraska sharpshooter Meggan Yedsena added 12 and Shaunna Tubbs had 10.
The Wildcats will be in action again next Tuesday, hosting the Chicago Challengers at 7 p.m. in Welsh-Ryan Arena.
