Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Creighton
Wildcats Fall To Creighton In Season Opener
11/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 19, 2004
Box Score
OMAHA, Neb. - Senior Sarah Kwasinski scored 15 points and added three blocks, but the Wildcats could not stop Creighton in their season-opener on Friday night, falling 77-65. Northwestern (0-1/0-0 Big Ten) shot above 47 percent overall and over 53 percent in the second, but struggled to contain the Bluejays' three point shooters, who capitalized 14 times in the contest.
"It is hard to beat a team at home and Creighton is a fantastic team. Period," said Head Coach Beth Combs after her opening game at the helm of Wildcat basketball. "We tried to mix it up but we gave them too many second chances. It is hard to beat a team that scores 14 threes."
Freshman Sara Stutz drained her first field goal at a Wildcat just 28 seconds into her collegiate career to put NU on the board first. The two teams were evenly matched through the midpoint of the first half until Angie Janus put the Bluejays (1-0/0-0 MVC) up by one to make it 18-17. The 2004 WNIT champs did not relinquish that lead again in the game. Kristi Woodard seemed to have the magic touch for Creighton, producing 18 points and five of her six threes in the opening stanza.
Kwasinski knocked down 11 points in the half, helping to keep the 'Cats within reach. NU trailed 44-31 at the half.
Northwestern came out strong in the second, shrinking Creighton's lead to single digits with a little over two minutes remaining. However, NU was unable to regain possession of the ball after the Bluejays made it 77-65 with their final three.
"I am proud of our effort tonight," said Combs. "This team is experiencing a lot of new situations and we made it a game until the very end. Teams are going to have nights where they hit shots and we have to counter with offensive rebounds and overall conversion to win."
Senior Suzanne Morrison chipped in 14 points overall for Northwestern. Three freshmen also made an impact in the game, including Stutz and Melissa Miller, who both made their first collegiate starts. Miller had a team-leading seven boards and contributed six points. Stutz added five and Kelly Rae Finley dropped in two late in the contest.
Overall, the 'Cats held Creighton to 32.9 percent shooting, but committed 23 turnovers to the Bluejays' 14. Each team committed 18 personal fouls.
Northwestern returns to the road Sunday night as they play at West Virginia on Monday. Game time is set for 6 p.m. Central.
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