Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Look To Build Off First Conference Win
2/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 14, 2007
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After earning its first conference victory of the season and surpassing last year's campaign-win total, Northwestern now turns its attention to No. 24 Michigan State. The Wildcats travel to East Lansing for a 6 p.m. CT affair with the Spartans on Thursday evening in search of putting together its first conference-winning streak since the 1999-2000 campaign. But Michigan State is coming off an impressive victory of its own, upsetting No. 15 Purdue, 54-52, on Sunday at Mackey Arena.
"We are looking forward to playing Michigan State again and hope to continue to improve our play from this past week," head coach Beth Combs said.
Last Time Out ...
Northwestern used a combination of scrappy defense, timely shooting and a 47 percent effort from beyond the arc to capture its first Big Ten victory, a 64-61 win against Penn State on Sunday. With the victory, Northwestern surpassed its win total from last season. Three Wildcats registered in double figures, including Beth Marshall who recorded a career-best 14 points.
"This is unbelievable," head coach Beth Combs said. "I am so proud of my team. I hope we can take this momentum with us and carry it with us down the stretch."
Both teams sprinted out to a quick start to open the game, knocking down buckets on each of its first three possessions. The accelerated, neck-and-neck pace in the early going was just a preview of what was to come the rest of the game, as there were 23 total lead changes. Through the first eight minutes, NU and Penn State were shooting at least 50 percent.
The competitive play continued, with Northwestern holding the largest lead of the half--five points--courtesy of a 3-pointer by Marshall with 7:11 left.
The score was deadlocked, 28-28, at the break, with Glasauer leading NU with seven points.
No team held more than a four-point lead throughout the second stanza, as both squads refused to let the game slip away.
A 3-pointer by Marshall with 3:25 left gave NU a 58-54 advantage and prompted PSU to call a timeout to break the 'Cats momentum and the crowd's enthusiasm. As was the case the entire game, Penn State answered with a basket, but the Wildcats came up with a bucket of their own to push lead back to four.
The Lady Lions cut the gap to one point with :03 seconds left, but Marshall was fouled and knocked down both free throws to give NU a 3-point advantage. A last second half-court heave was off the mark and NU came away with the win.
Northwestern shot 44 percent from the field to accompany its 47 percent effort from downtown. The Wildcats also forced 19 Lady Lion turnovers, which they converted into 17 points.
Kristin Cartwright continued her outstanding play, joining Marshall in double figures with 13 points. A.J. Glasauer scored 11 points while also dishing out a game-high six assists.
Marshall was 3-of-6 from both beyond the arc and from the field. She was also clutch down the stretch, shooting 5-of-6 from the charity stripe.
Scouting the Spartans
The Spartans are riding high after a two-point vicory against No. 15 Purdue in West Lafayette. Michigan State is now 19-6, 10-2 on the season with its only two conference losses coming at the hands of Penn State and Purdue. Michigan State is led by senior Victoria Lucas-Perry who is averaging 13.5 ppg. Six-foot-nine freshman Allyssa DeHaan is the Spartans' leading rebounder, pulling down 7.6 boards per contest and she leads the Big Ten in blocks with 4.4 bpg. The Spartan's mentor, Joanne P. McCallie is a Northwestern alum, having played for the Wildcats from 1984-87.
The Series with Michigan State
Michigan State holds a slight 27-22 advantage in the all-time series. The last time the Wildcats downed MSU was on Jan. 1, 2003 when NU defeated the Spartans, 52-46, at Welsh-Ryan Arena. These two teams met just a week ago in Evanston, with MSU pulling out a 55-48 win.
Cartwright Elevating Her Game
Since entering the starting line up against Wisconsin on Jan. 21, sophomore Kristin Cartwright has been the team's third-leading scorer, averaging 8.3 ppg. The sophomore is averaging 4.7 rebounds per game during that seven-game span. Against Michigan on Feb. 4, Cartwright pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds and on Thursday, Feb. 8, she grabbed a team-high seven.
Playing the Best to be the Best
According to collegeRPI.com, Northwestern is playing the 23rd strongest schedule in the country. The Wildcats' slate includes six opponents in last season's AP top-25, and five that are currently in the top-25, or receiving votes in this week's poll. Those six include No. 4 Ohio State, No. 13 Purdue and No. 24 Michigan State. Mississippi is among those receiving votes.
Taking Care of the Rock
Northwestern's 12 turnovers against Ohio State on Jan. 14 was the lowest of the season. The 'Cats forced a dozen Buckeye mishaps as well.
Besting Last Season
Northwestern's 64-61 victory against Penn State on Sunday pushed the season win total to seven games, surpassing last year's season win-total of six.
Rookie Renaissance
Freshmen Kaitlin McInerney and Beth Marshall have made statements early in their Wildcat careers. McInerney is shooting a team-best 50 percent (72-of-143) from the field while also pulling down 5.4 rpg. She recorded the first double-double of her career on Dec. 16 against Nebraska, scoring 10 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. The Oak Brook, Ill., native has been the 'Cats leading rebounder in seven games so far this season, including the last time NU played Michigan State (7). Marshall has started the last seven games at the point and recorded a career-high 14 points in NU's 64-61 victory against Penn State on Sunday.
For complete game notes, please click on the PDF on the top of this release.
