Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Eastern Michigan
Wildcats Fall in Tournament Final to Eastern Michigan 70-61
12/6/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 6, 2003
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EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern fell to Eastern Michigan 70-61 in the Mildred and Roger L. White Invitational championship Saturday at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats fall to 3-3 on the season while the Eagles improve their season mark to 5-1.
Samantha McComb matched a career-best with a game-high 22 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field. Ifeoma Okonkwo added 12 points while Alex Mueller chipped in 11 for the 'Cats.
Eastern Michigan was paced by Ryan Coleman, who scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Tournament MVP Nikki Knapp scored 17 points and Erika Ford added 15 and dished out eight assists for the Ealges.
Northwestern opened the game with an 8-2 run, however, EMU rallied back and carried a 33-28 edge into halftime.
The two teams traded baskets early in the second half, but the Eagles blew the game open with a 10-0 run capped by a Marion Crandall's three-pointer that gave Eastern Michigan a 64-47 cushion with 4:22 remaining.
NU cut the lead to 10 after six consecutive points from McComb with 2:53 left in the game, but the 'Cats were unable to convert a field goal for the next 2:52 as the Eagles were able to maintain a solid lead.
Northwestern head coach June Olkowski praised Eastern Michigan's grind-it-out style.
"Give credit EMU's blue-collar work ethic," she said. "Our kids were fatigued a bit in the finals, but we've got to start getting ready now for West Virginia."
The 'Cats host West Virginia on Dec. 16. The game is set for noon.
Florida International defeated Drexel in the consolation game 61-53 behind Milena Tomova's 19 points. Jackie Falson led Drexel with 13 points in the loss.
All-Tournament Team
Nikki Knapp*, Eastern Michigan
Samantha McComb, Northwestern
Ifeoma Okonkwo, Northwestern
Sarah VanMetre, Eastern Michigan
Milena Tomova, Florida International
* = Tournament MVP
