Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Head To Ann Arbor Thursday
1/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 25, 2006
Michigan Game Notes
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern travels to Ann Arbor for a 6 p.m. CST match up with Michigan on Thursday. The game pits two teams looking for their first conference wins of the season, as Wildcats and Wolverines enter the game with identical 0-7 records. The Wolverines are coming off a 69-44 loss at Indiana on Sunday while NU dropped a 91-48 decision at home to Penn State. Northwestern leads the series 31-19 and won the only meeting between the two teams last year, a 66-59 victory at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Last Time Out
Northwestern fell to Penn State, 91-48, Sunday afternoon at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Nadia Bibbs led the Wildcats with 10 points and eight rebounds.
"We didn't quit. We didn't stop playing and we didn't stop trying to make plays and I think that's important," head coach Beth Combs said. "We've got a very young squad. Even with sophomores that are starting for us, they're still very young players and we just need to continue to get better."
Both teams opened the game firing from the field, as 22 points were scored in the first four minutes.
After recording 10 points in the first four minutes of the game, the Wildcats did not score a field goal in the next 15 minutes when Melissa Miller hit a jumper with a minute left in the half. Penn State hit 47 percent from the field in the opening stanza en route to a 39-17 advantage at the half.
Penn State came out and drained a quick nine points on three treys to increase the lead and never looked back.
A.J. Glasauer turned in a strong effort for the 'Cats, contributing nine points, four steals and a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. As a team, Northwestern shot an impressive 89 percent (23-of-26) from the free throw line.
The Series
Thursday's game is the 50th meeting between Northwestern and Michigan. Northwestern leads the series 31-19 and won the only meeting between the two teams last year, a 66-59 victory at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Sara Stutz was the team's leading scorer recording 15 points and pulling down three rebounds.
Scouting Michigan
The Wolverines are coming off a 69-44 loss to Indiana in Bloomington. Michigan is led by Ta'Shia Walker, the only Wolverine in double figures, who is averaging 12.2 ppg and 6.1 rpg. She is also second in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds with 3.37 per outing. Michigan and Northwestern have two common opponents other than conference foes. Both teams defeated Miami (Ohio) while losing to Nebraska. UM is searching for their first win of the conference season after opening with an 0-7 mark.
Balancing Act
Seven different Wildcats have stepped up to lead Northwestern in scoring through the 18 games. A.J. Glasauer has led NU six times this season, while Ifeoma Okonkwo has been the leading scorer in five games. Sophomore Sara Stutz has led the team three times. Freshman Julie Bielawski and Nadia Bibbs have been the leading scorer twice, while Melissa Miller and freshman Lauren Roberts have topped the scoring column once this year. For complete notes, see the .pdf at the top of this page.
