Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Host Indiana In Final Game Of 2007
12/29/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 29, 2007
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern hosts Indiana in the second game of the conference slate at 2 p.m. Monday. The Wildcats are looking to rebound from a 58-44 loss to Illinois in their Big Ten debut Thursday.
Freshman Amy Jaeschke led the way for the 'Cats, recording the first double-double of her career with 10 points and 10 boards. Indiana has not played since Dec. 22 when it defeated West Virginia, 79-66. The game, which will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network, is the first conference tilt for the Hoosiers.
Scouting the Hoosiers
The Hoosiers enter Monday's contest on a three-game winning streak, but have not played since Dec. 22 when they defeated West Virginia, 79-66, at Assembly Hall. IU used a balanced offensive attack en route to the victory as Amber Jackson (16), Kim Roberson (17), Nikki Smith (15) and Jamie Braun (17) all reached double-figures. Braun registered a double-double, adding a team-high 13 rebounds. Braun, Jackson, Roberson and Whitney Thomas are all averaging double-digits on the season. Northwestern and Indiana share two common opponents in Wake Forest and Dayton. Both squads suffered defeats to the Demon Deacons while NU downed Dayton in overtime in the season opener but IU dropped a 67-59 game on the road to Dayton. The Hoosiers are led by second-year head coach Felisha Legette-Jack.
The Series Against Indiana
This will be the 57th meeting between Indiana and Northwestern with all-time series tied at 28. Indiana has won the last five contests, including an 83-59 victory at Assembly Hall last season in the only meeting between the two teams. Four Wildcats -- A.J. Glasauer (18), Kaitlin McInerney (11), Kristin Cartwright (10) and Sara Stutz (11) -- all scored in double-figures. Five Hoosiers contributed double-digits, led by IU's Sarah McKay with 21 points.
Regarding Amy
Freshman Amy Jaeschke notched the first double-double of her young career last time out against Illinois, recording 10 points and 10 rebounds. The 6-5 forward has scored 10 or more points in three out of the four games she has appeared in so far this season. Jaeschke turned in a 19-point performance in the season opener against Dayton before breaking her left hand, which sidelined her for the next nine games. The Wilmette, Ill., native contributed a team- and career-high 21 points in the Wildcats' 65-63 victory against Marquette in her return to the court on Dec. 17. Jaeschke also blocked Krystal Ellis' running layup with just under 12 seconds remaining, thwarting the Golden Eagles' attempt at the go-ahead basket.
Bibbs Shines Against Blue Demons
Senior Nadia Bibbs poured in a career-high 25 points in Northwestern's loss to DePaul on Dec. 20. Bibbs went 10-of-17 from the field and 4-of-6 from the free throw line. She also pulled down seven rebounds and distributed six assists. The Chicago, Ill., native leads the Wildcats in rebounding (7.3 rpg), assists (4.2 apg) and steals (2.0). Bibbs' 7.3 boards per game is 10th in the conference while her assists rank fourth.
Last Time Out...
Northwestern hung tough for most of the game, but in the end, Illinois proved to be too much, downing the Wildcats 58-44 Thursday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Freshman Amy Jaeschke led the way for the Wildcats, recording the first double-double of her career with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Nadia Bibbs joined Jaeschke in double-figures with 10 points as well.
It turned out to be a tale of two halves for Northwestern as it came out strong in the first frame only to see the Illini control the second. The Wildcats led by as many as eight on two occasions during the first half and never surrendered the lead after the 13:48 mark. NU held a four-point advantage, 28-24, at the break.
Jaeschke scored eight of her 10 points in the first half and added seven boards. Bibbs poured in all of her 10 points in the opening stanza. Northwestern outscored Illinois in the paint and held the advantage in second-chance points as well.
It was a different story in the second half, however, as the Illini scored 34 points to the 'Cats' 16. Illinois slowly built a 10 point lead by the 6:15 mark and refused to let Northwestern make a final push.
Jaeschke's 10 rebounds was a career high.
Please click on the PDF above for complete game notes.
