Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Out West For Holiday Tournament
12/27/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 27, 2003
NU-LMU Tourney Notes in PDF Format
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LOS ANGELES, Calif. - After putting together their first winning streak of the 2003- 04 season with three games between Dec. 16 and 20, the Northwestern Wildcats are set to put that streak on the line in California this weekend. The 'Cats will face Loyola Marymount in the first round of games at the LMU Marina del rey Marriott Beach Classic on Sunday afternoon and will play either Duke or Hampton on Monday to close out the trip.
NU enters the tournament with a 6-3 record, its best opening nine-game record since head coach June Olkowski joined the Wildcats in 1999-2000. Prior to a short holiday break, the Wildcats won the three-straight games in three unique ways.
The 60-57 win over West Virginia at home was an evenly matched game throughout, with the 'Cats making defense a priority for the final result. Staying close to home for the game vs. Illinois-Chicago, Northwestern had to rebound after giving up sizeable leads and won the game 78-77 in triple overtime. Southern Illinois was a testament to the entire squad with the 56-41 win coming with two starters out of the contest.
Loyola Marymount is 8-2 heading into their tournament under head coach Julie Wilhoit. The Lions are coming off of a split prior to the holiday, having beaten IUPUI and falling to Cincinnati. The eight wins set a new LMU record for consecutive victories. Kate Murray is leading the Lions with 15.1 ppg, while Adrienne Slaughter is averaging 7.1 rpg.
Waiting in the wings is No. 4 Duke and Hampton. The Blue Devils are winners of their last seven, while Hampton's win came on Dec. 6 vs. Norfolk State.
The Wildcats have never met any of the other participating teams before and haven't faced a member of the West Coast, ACC or Mid-Eastern Conference in 2003 either.
