Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Creighton
'Cats Down Creighton in Home Opener, 59-41
11/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 21, 2003
Northwestern postgame quotes
Download Free Acrobat Reader
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Sarah Kwasinski racked up a game-high 16 points and seven rebounds to lead Northwestern to a 59-41 win over Creighton Friday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Kwasinski, a junior, went 6-of-9 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the free throw line as the Wildcats (1-0 overall) opened their regular season with a victory. Teammate Melissa Culver added 11 points, including two 3-pointers, while Ifeoma Okonkwo and Alex Mueller each notched nine points.
"Sarah established our inside presence, and we got some easy buckets there," said head coach June Olkowski. "If we can get the easier buckets, we will take them."
Codi Walker paced the Blue Jays (0-1) with 11 points and three steals. Kristi Woodard, who had 10 points, was the only other Creighton player in double-figures.
The Wildcats began the game with a 6-0 run, including four points by Kwasinski. Walker ended the run by sinking a 3-point shot, which would be the only points Creighton would put up for the next nine minutes.
NU managed to build up the lead to 17-3 during that time before ending the half 32-13. The Blue Jays were held to just 16.1% shooting (5-for-31) in the period.
"We were taking pride in our defense in the first half," said Samantha McComb, who had a game-high seven assists. "That just builds confidence for us on the offensive end."
The 'Cats began the second half like the first, using an early run (8-2) to build a 40-16 margin. Both teams went back-and-forth trading baskets, but NU made a few more here and there to eventually lead by as much as 24 points two other times.
Woodard scored 10 points in the second half to narrow the margin a bit, but it was not enough as the Wildcats still won by an overwhelming 18 points.
"We talked in the locker room (before the game) and said this is the start of a new team," said Kwasinski. "We have confidence (that we can win), but we just needed to go out and prove it to other people."
The Wildcats head to Lexington, Ky., to face the Kentucky Wildcats at 3 p.m. (EST) Sunday.
