Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Face Fighting Illini on Wednesday
2/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 15, 2005
Illinois Game Notes in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern travels downstate to battle Illinois in a 7 p.m. contest at the Assembly Hall. The Fighting Illini are coming off a three-game losing streak, dropping a 63-56 decision to Penn State at home on Sunday. Northwestern lost to Indiana, 54-53 on Sunday.
Senior Sarah Kwasinski (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) and junior Ifeoma Okonkwo (Spring Texas/Klein Oak) have led the Wildcats consistently throughout the season. Kwasinski is averaging 12.1 ppg (1st), 4.9 rpg (3rd) and has 35 blocks on the year (1st). Okonkwo ranks second in scoring (11.9 ppg), and rebounding (5.6 rpg) and steals(37).
Last Time Out
Northwestern's spirited effort came up short as they lost to Indiana 54-53 on Sunday. Senior Suzanne Morrison (Franklin, Mich./Detroit County Day) led the way for the Wildcats with 12 points and seven rebounds, while Okonkwo 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.
Indiana's Cyndi Valentin was the game's leading scorer with 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.
Looking Ahead
NU wraps-up the 2004-05 regular season with two of its last three games on the road. After Wednesday's match up at Illinois, Northwestern travels to Penn State (Feb. 20), Wisconsin (Feb. 23) before hosting Minnesota on Feb. 27. The Big Ten Women's Basketball Tournament, held at Conseco Field House in Indianapolis, Ind., begins on Thursday, March 3 and runs through Monday, March 7 (Please see page 7 for more information).
The Series
All-Time Record: Northwestern leads, 31-20
Last Meeting: 73-65, Illinois (Jan. 9, 2005)
Series Streak: 10, Illinois
