Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Indiana
Indiana Nips Northwestern, 54-53
2/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 13, 2005
Postgame Quotes in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's spirited effort came up short as they lost to Indiana 54-53 on Sunday in action at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Senior Suzanne Morrison (Franklin, Mich./Detroit County Day) led the way for the Wildcats with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Junior Ifeoma Okonkwo (Spring Texas/Klein Oak) chipped in 10 points and seven boards. Senior Melissa Culver (Littleton, Colo./Heritage) matched her season-high eight points set on Dec. 5 against Virginia.
Cyndi Valentin led the way for Indiana scoring 19 points and four assists.
The Wildcats opened the game on a 8-2 run, but the Hoosiers battled back to make it 16-13 midway through the first half. The game was tied at 19- one of five deadlocks- with six minutes remaining in the first half, but NU pulled ahead to secure a 32-28 halftime lead.
After several lead changes throughout the second half, Carrie Smith hit a 3-pointer with just over two minutes remaining to bring the Hoosiers within one-53-52. Indiana then took a 54-53 lead with 1:26 left on a layup by Sarah McKay.
The score remained the same as both teams exchanged time outs with 2.1 seconds remaining, and Northwestern with the ball. Sara Stutz's (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) inbounds pass sailed over the hands of Samantha McComb (Farmington Hills, Mich./North Farmington). McComb then fouled Valentin, who missed both free throws with 2.1 seconds remaining. The Wildcats could not get off a shot in time and suffered its first one-point loss of the season.
NU slid to 5-20 overall and 2-10 in conference action, while the Hoosiers improved to 10-13 on the season and 3-10 in league play.
