Northwestern University Athletics
Women's Basketball Travels to Columbus to Take on Buckeyes
1/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 5, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. -
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NORTHWESTERN (4-10, 0-3)
vs. Ohio State (7-7, 2-1)
Date/Time: Sunday, Jan. 6/2 p.m. CST
Site: Value City Arena (Columbus, Ohio)
Capacity: 19,200
Radio: WNUR (89.3 FM)
Television: Fox Sports Chicago
There is something about playing top-10 teams that brings out the best in Northwestern. Earlier this season, the Wildcats hosted then-No. 6 Iowa State and lost by 10, getting as close as four points with 1:30 remaining in regulation. Thursday night, NU hosted ninth-ranked Purdue and forced Boilermaker Coach Kristy Curry to stay with her starters the final minutes of the game. Down by as many as 16 in the second half, NU kept hustling and remained poised and got as close as six points with 12:30 to go. The two teams essentially traded baskets the rest of the way, as NU scored 38 second-half points en route to the 77-65 loss. Two top-10 teams, two of NU's best efforts.
"We're learning," said head coach June Olkowski. "The offense is better because we're working on it, the defense is better because we're working on it. These are two games that showed some of our progress."
Today presents Ohio State, and Olkowski is looking for another great effort from her players.
"We've been riding everyone pretty hard to step up their play," said Olkowski.
Two players who have responded to the request are freshmen Melissa Culver and Sarah Kwasinski. The two are combining to average 31 points the last two games, with Culver draining nine three-pointers and Kwasinski shooting 52 percent from the floor (15-of-29) and blocking six shots.
Not to be outdone, classmate Suzanne Morrison continues to climb the rebound chart as she led the Wildcats with seven caroms against Purdue. It was the sixth time this season she has led the team in rebounds. She also scored eight points vs. the Boilermakers.
