Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Ohio St
Ohio State Buckles 'Cats in Big Ten Opener
12/31/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 31, 2002
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Northwestern's women's basketball team opened its 2002-03 Big Ten season with an 82-49 loss to Ohio State Tuesday afternoon in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes used an impressive first-half shooting performance to take a commanding 43-18 halftime lead. OSU used its quickness on defense to tame the Wildcats the rest of the game. The loss drops NU to 5-6 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten. Ohio State improved to 9-2, 1-0.
The Buckeyes started the game in a man-to-man defense, which NU exploited, trading baskets the first two minutes. With the game tied 9-9, OSU switched to a zone defense, giving the Wildcats fits on offensive end of the floor. The Buckeyes' offense, however, was hitting on all cylinders, draining 17 of their 31 first-half shots, including four three-pointers. NU made only seven of its 24 baskets in the first 20 minutes.
In the second half, both teams traded baskets for most of the period as NU outscored the Buckeyes 16-15 at the second media timeout (11:48) of the second half. But OSU would take advantage of some Wildcat miscues and go on a 9-2 run, winning the second half 39-31.
Sophomore guard Kristin Ambrose (Minnetonka, Minn./The Blake School) scored 13 of her team-high 15 points in the second half, starting her third game of the year. Ambrose has led the team in scoring three times this season. Classmate Sarah Kwasinski (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) chipped in 12 points, scoring in double figures for the 10th time this season.
Freshman Ifeoma Okonkwo (Spring, Texas/Klein Oak) came off the bench in the second half and produced a defensive spark, causing havoc in the Buckeye backcourt while picking up four second half rebounds. Okonkwo also scored six points.
The 'Cats are back in action this Thursday, January 2, hosting Michigan State at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
