Northwestern University Athletics
Women's Basketball Wins First Exhibition Game, 79-57
11/6/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 6, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Northwestern women's basketball team opened the 2001-02 campaign defeating the Chicago Challengers, 79-57, in an exhibition game at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Junior Natalie Will (Nappanee, Ind./Northwood) drained a baseline three-pointer to kick off the season as the 'Cats opened the game with an 8-0 run. Will finished with 10 points.
The Challengers came right back, taking a brief 11-10 lead before NU would regain the lead on the next possession. After that it was all 'Cats. NU would never relinquish the lead as they were ahead by as many as 23 in the game.
The second half was more of the same as NU was led by junior Emily Butler's (Greenwood, Ind./Center Grove) 19 points. She led all scorers and had a game-high seven assists.
Freshman Suzanne Morrison (Franklin, Mich./Detroit Country Day) chipped in 13 points while classmate Melissa Culver (Littleton, Colo./Heritage) scored 12. Culver also had six assists. In all the 2001 freshmen class poured in 32 of NU's 79 points.
Chicago did win the rebound battle, 48-36, and 21-8 on the offensive end. But the Challengers had nine more turnovers than the Wildcats. Culver finished with a game-high five steals.
The Challengers had three players in double figures, led by former Western Michigan player Kina Brown's 18 points and 14 rebounds.
