Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Hampton (LMU Tourney)
Wildcats End California Trip With A Win
12/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 29, 2003
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LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Northwestern rebounded from Sunday's opening round loss in the LMU Marina del rey Marriott Beach Tournament and beat Hampton University on Monday evening by the score of 58-45. The Wildcats have won three of their last four and close out the nonconference portion of the 2003-04 schedule with a 7-4 record.
"Yesterday it was evident that the layoff hurt us," said head coach June Olkowski. "We were just out of sync. But tonight we played in the first half like we did the week before the holidays and it is good to begin the second half of the season coming off of a win."
The 'Cats played like they were possessed in the first, quickly rebounding from an early 7-0 deficit to lead by as many as 19 late in the half. Hampton was held scoreless for six consecutive minutes while NU went on a 18-0 run and junior Melissa Culver played particularly well, hitting three threes as well as all 13 of her total points.
" 'Mo' shot the ball well the way she can and the way we needed her to," said Olkowski. "With Samantha (McComb) out recently, we needed her to step up and she's provided great leadership."
Starting her fourth consecutive game, Maria McCarthy chipped in eight of her career-high 10 points in the first, helping to give NU the 36-22 edge going into the locker room. McCarthy has set a new career mark for single-game points three times this season.
"Maria has waited for her opportunity to play, she has it now and has gotten better every game," said Olkowski. "She has a great touch and we need her to be more consistent on rebounds. She's done a great job."
Hampton made it interesting in the second, taking advantage of missed layups and turnovers to bring the Lady Pirates to within single digits for the first time since early in the first. Ifeoma Okonkwo kept the Wildcats in it, chipping in 13 of her 15 game points in the last half. Seven of those points came from the foul line.
"Overall, I was pleased with the way we played, especially in bouncing back against a very physical Hampton team in the second," said Olkowski. "Now with Big Ten play opening up, we have to concentrate on rebounding and taking care of the ball."
