Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Down Marquette In Thriller, 65-63
12/17/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 17, 2007
Box Score
MILWAUKEE, Wis. -- Northwestern outlasted Marquette 65-63 in a thrilling game Monday night at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee.
After breaking her hand in the season opener, freshman Amy Jaeschke (Wilmette, Ill./New Trier) returned to the floor on a mission, pumping in a career- and team-high 21 points, and providing a key block to thwart the Golden Eagles' potential game-winning basket. Jenny Eckhart (Libertyville, Ill./Carmel/Syracuse) and Nadia Bibbs (Chicago, Ill./Hillcrest) joined Jaeschke in double figures with 13 and 12, respectively.
After a week-long hiatus for final exams, the Wildcats came out with focus and energy, jumping to an early 10-4 lead, thanks to six quick points from Jaeschke.
Marquette held Northwestern scoreless for five minutes to quell the Wildcats' initial momentum and climbed within one point with 11 minutes remaining. But a basket by Ellen Jaeschke (Cary, Ill./Cary-Grove/Air Force) sparked a 6-2 mini spurt to put NU ahead, 16-9, with just under eight minutes left in the first half.
The Golden Eagles ran off six points to once again pull within one before Eckhart hit a trey and Jaeschke followed with a bucket to put NU ahead by six at the 3:21 mark.
Both teams jockeyed for the halftime advantage before a steal by Sara Stutz translated into a bucket by Bibbs which gave Northwestern a 30-25 lead at the break. Amy Jaeschke led the Wildcats' balanced scoring attack with 10 points. The Wildcats shot 40 percent from the field compared to MU's 29 percent.
Marquette opened the second half with a 9-4 run to knot the game at 34-34 with just under 16 minutes to play. The Golden Eagles took their game's first lead on a bucket by Jocelyn Mellen with 15:10 left.
A three-point play by Sara Stutz pulled Northwestern to within one, 37-38 with 13:21 remaining.
Neither team would let up, as the lead never exceeded four points either way. There were 14 lead changes and five ties throughout the contest.
A free throw by Jaeschke gave NU a 64-63 lead with 1:45 left. After exchanging possessions, Marquette had one chance to claim the victory, but Jaeschke blocked Krystal Ellis' running layup attempt and Eckhart came up with the loose ball and was fouled as the clock ran down. Eckhart hit one out-of-two to give the Wildcats a 65-63 lead.
Northwestern shot 43 percent from the field and 41 percent from beyond the arc to earn the win.
The Wildcats are next in action on Thursday, December 20 when they host DePaul in a noon game at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Admission is free.
