Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Take On Crusaders
11/29/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Valpo Game Notes
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Nov. 29, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After defeating Illinois-Chicago 81-78 on Saturday, Northwestern travels east to take on the Valparaiso Crusaders in a 7:05 p.m. matchup on Wednesday. The Wildcats (2-1) wrap up the final game of a three-contest road stint against the 2-2 Crusaders before hosting the 22nd Annual Mildred and Roger White Invitational this weekend.
"We are looking forward to playing a quality team on Wednesday," head coach Beth Combs said. "Valpo has a history of success, especially at home, and it will be a great challenge for us. The UIC win on the road was a great gut check for our team, and now we have an opportunity to improve our play again and get another win on the road."
Last Time Out...
In Northwestern's 81-78 victory over Illinois-Chicago on Saturday, four Wildcats hit the double-digit mark, and two recorded double-doubles.
Senior Ifeoma Okonkwo poured in a career-best 31 points on 12-of-14 (.857) shooting and pulled down 12 rebounds to record her second double-double of the season and fifth of her career. Okonkwo's .857 shooting places her ninth on Northwestern's all-time single-game field goal percentage list.
Junior A.J. Glasauer dished out a career-tying and game-high 10 assists and added 17 points on the afternoon. The upperclassmen have now scored in double-digits in all three games so far this season.
Sophomore Sara Stutz and freshman Kristin Cartwright each added 10 points. Sophomore Melissa Miller hauled down 10 rebounds and also chipped in eight points.
Scouting the Crusaders
The Crusaders (2-2) are coming off a 58-44 loss to Xavier (Ohio) in the National City Bank Xavier Invitational held in Cincinnati, Ohio last weekend. En route to the title game, Valpo downed Kent State, 66-62 in overtime. The Crusaders' other victory of the season was in the 62-48 season-opener against Northern Iowa. Valpo also lost in double-overtime at Bradley, 79-71.
Freshman Betsy Rietma has led the team so far, averaging 15.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest and garnered Mid-Con Player of the Week accolades after the first week of competition. Tamra Braun is the team's leading rebounder averaging 9.5 boards per game.
The Series Against Valpo
This will be the first meeting between the two squads.
Wildcats Versus the Mid-Continent
The Wildcats are 7-1 against Mid-Con teams. Northwestern is 5-0 against Western Illinois, 1-1 versus Chicago State and 1-0 against Oakland.
Northwestern returns home on Friday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. to face Miami (Ohio) in the Roger and Mildred White Invitational. Friday night is Kids' Club Night at Welsh-Ryan Arena which means all 2005-06 Kids' Club members receive FREE admission when they present their valid membership card.
