Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Southern Illinois
Wildcats Explode for 75-62 Win over SIU
12/14/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 14, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern's women's basketball team turned in an impressive offensive performance Saturday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena, topping Southern Illinois 75-62. With the win, NU (4-3) extends its winning streak to three games, the longest string since a five-game stretch in 1998. SIU, meanwhile, saw its three-game winning streak snapped.
Junior guard Kristin Ambrose (Minnetonka, Minn./The Blake School) had her best night in a Wildcat uniform, scoring a career-high 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting and pulling down a career-high seven rebounds. Sophomore guard Samantha McComb (Farmington Hills, Mich./North Farmington) joined Ambrose in double figures with 18 points and three assists in 36 minutes of action.
SIU (3-3) controlled the action in the early going, opening up a 17-11 lead with twelve minutes to play in the first half. But NU closed the half on a 16-5 run and took a 35-28 advantage into the intermission. The 'Cats held the Salukis scoreless over a six-minute stretch bridging the first and second halves. NU's lead grew to 20, 69-49, with just under four minutes to play.
NU received scoring contributions from 10 different players en route to its highest point total of the season. Senior center Leslie Dolland (Bloomington, Minn./The Blake School) tallied nine points and six rebounds in 25 minutes of action. Sophomore center Sarah Kwasinski (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) chipped in eight points, all during NU's season-best 40-point second half. Senior forward Natalie Will (Napanee Ind./Northwood) turned in another well-rounded performance, netting eight points to go along with six rebounds seven assists and four steals.
The 'Cats set a season high with a 48.9 percent field goal shooting clip. NU also knocked down 24-of-26 free throws, good for 92 percent.
NU wraps up the home portion of its non-conference schedule Tuesday, Dec. 17 against Dayton. Tipoff is set for noon to accommodate area grade schoolers who will be attending the game as part of the "Wildcat Field Trip."
