Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Southern Illinois
'Cats Come Up Big In Carbondale
12/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 20, 2003
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CARBONDALE, Ill. - Wildcat women's basketball is officially on a roll after Saturday's convincing 56-41 win over Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill. The win was the third in five days and Northwestern is now 6-3-its best start since June Olkowski was named head coach in 1999.
"Everyone stepped up today and it showed on the scoreboard," said Olkowski. "We've improved in many areas and everyone is excited to go into our holiday break on this positive note."
Ifeoma Okonkwo started the scoring for NU, giving the team a lead it would never relinquish. While the 'Cats have had some trouble getting the ball rolling early on in games this season, they turned the table on the Salukis and held them scoreless through the 14- and 12-minute marks of each half. Those scoreless droughts allowed the Wildcats to build double-digit leads and they led by as many as 20 in the contest.
Northwestern led 31-20 at the half and won the game by a season-high 15-point margin.
With last season's two top scorers out of the lineup, Olkowski was pleased with her team's effort and adjustment to the new lineup.
"Against Illinois-Chicago, we were tentative because we didn't have a go-to person," said Olkowski. "We didn't have to rely on one person at SIU, so everyone was naturally more relaxed. We were able to control the tempo and continued to execute our game plan."
For the third time this season, Okonkwo led the 'Cats in scoring, registering 14 vs. SIU. Senior co-captain Michelle Zylstra led the team with 9 rebounds while adding six points.
Senior Suzi Sutton, a varsity field hockey player for NU and women's basketball walk-on, made her first career appearance for the Wildcats, while freshman Breanne Smilie scored her first career point on a foul shot.
Junior Maria McCarthy, making her second start of the season, scored a career-high eight points in the win.
This is the second three-game winning streak of Olkowski's career at Northwestern and the 'Cats will have that winning streak challenged when they go to California after the holiday break. The Wildcats will join Duke and Hampton at host Loyola Marymount's tournament from Dec. 28-29. NU will face Loyola Marymount in the first round.
"Preparing for LMU is about executing and playing quality defense without fouling, without giving up easy buckets," said Olkowski. "Then it is a matter of making shots and executing the offensive play. If we can cut out second-chance shots, we'll be in good shape."
