Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Denver
Wildcats Fall to Denver in Championship Game, 66-53
12/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 22, 2002
DENVER, Colo. - After a late second-half run, the Northwestern Wildcats succumbed to Denver, 66-53, in the championship game of the Denver Pioneer Classic. With the loss, Northwestern slips to 5-5 on the season, as the Pioneers improve to 5-6.
Sophomore Sarah Kwasinski was the spark of the second half, scoring 14 points as Northwestern made several runs to combat Denver. NU got within four with 12:12 to play, but Denver's Katie Davenport drained a three to increase the lead. The 'Cats would get within reach again (57-51) with 2:37 to play, but Denver was relentless and a three-pointer by Ashley Atkinson at the 2:14 mark, put the game out of reach for Northwestern.
The Wildcats got down early in the first half, but Emily Butler came off the bench and provided NU a much needed spark, draining a three to cut the Denver lead to four (11-7). Denver would go on a 10-2 run to be on top 21-9 with 8:55 remaining in the half. Northwestern rallied on pair of made free-throws by Natalie Will--who was 7-of-7 from the line--and chipped away at the lead to go into the break down seven points (32-25).
Kwasinski lead all scorers with 20 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Will added 14 points. Ashley Atkinson was Denver's leading scorer with 17 points and tournament MVP Katie Davenport had 16. The Pioneer Classic All-Tournament team included: Kwasinski, Davenport and Atkinson of Denver, Rebecca Brown of Princeton and Tasha Gales of Morehead State.
After a 10-day break for the holidays, the Wildcats will begin Big Ten action on Sunday, Dec. 31 at Ohio State. Game time is set for 1 p.m. (CDT).
