Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Michigan
Wolverines Outlast 'Cats, 61-49
2/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 4, 2007
Michigan Box Score
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Michigan used a 22-point outburst from Carly Benson to defeat Northwestern, 61-49, Sunday afternoon at Crisler Arena. Sophomore Kristin Cartwright (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds while A.J. Glasauer (Freiburg, Germany/Theodor-Heuss Gymnasium) and Sara Stutz (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) scored 18 and 14 points, respectively.
"It came down to not being able to play for 40 minutes," head coach Beth Combs said. "We played a good first half, but they came out to play in the second half. You have to give them some credit."
Both squads echoed each other's baskets in the early going, but Northwestern's aggressive defense forced five Wolverine turnovers in the first eight minutes. NU's focus this week on defense, pressing and trapping paid off as they induced 22 Wolverine turnovers on the game and recorded 14 steals.
Michigan built a 13-point lead at the 7:13 mark, but Northwestern exploded for 12 unanswered points to pull the score to 24-23 with 1:13 remaining.
Glasauer then answered a three-pointer by Michigan's Jessica Minnifield with a basket of her own to pull the halftime score to 27-25. Glasauer led NU with 10 points, while Cartwright played arguably her best first half on the glass, grabbing nine rebounds. NU forced 11 turnovers in the first half alone.
Michigan opened the second half with three quick baskets, but Northwestern answered with two makes of its own.
The Wolverines continued to score, while the 'Cats were plagued by shooting woes, mustering just 10 points in the first 14 minutes.
Glasauer snatched a career-best five steals to accompany her 18 points while Stutz grabbed six rebounds to compliment her 14 points.
Northwestern converted 16 points off turnovers and grabbed 16 offensive boards to UM's 14.
The Wildcats are next in action on Thursday, Feb. 8 when they host Michigan State in a 7 p.m. bout at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
