Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Iowa State
Northwestern Drops Close Decision to Iowa State, 71-61
12/8/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 8, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill.- Northwestern's women's basketball team gave No. 5 Iowa State all it could handle Saturday afternoon at Welsh-Ryan Arena, but the Cyclones (6-0) were able to hold on for a 71-61 victory.
The 'Cats (2-7) shot 53 percent (17-of-32) from the floor in the second half and cut a 17-point Iowa State lead down to four with 1:53 remaining, but could get no closer. Iowa State's Lindsey Wilson made all six of her free throws in the final minute to extend the Cyclones lead.
Freshman center Sarah Kwasinski (Chicago, Ill/Fenwick) dominated the game for NU following the intermission. She netted 18 of her career- and game-high 26 points on 8-of-11 shooting in the second half. Kwasinski also led all rebounders with 10, including seven on the offensive glass. It was her fourth double-double of the season.
Two other Wildcats reached double figures in scoring. Freshman Suzanne Morrison (Franklin, Mich./Detroit Country Day) tallied 14 points and nine rebounds, while junior Natalie Will (Napannee, Ind./Northwood) had 13 points-including three three-pointers-in 26 minutes of work.
Guard Melissa Culver (Littleton, Colo./Heritage), another newcomer, dished out nine assists and turned the ball over just four times.
NU struggled early against Iowa State's full-court press, falling behind 13-2 in the game's first three minutes. But the 'Cats used 16 offensive rebounds and fewer turnovers (just eight in the second half) to get back into the game.
