Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Welcome No. 19 Ohio State
1/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 12, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern welcomes No. 19 Ohio State to Welsh-Ryan Arena for a 2 p.m. tip Sunday afternoon. It's not too late to get your tickets for Sunday's promotion--the Coach Combs Challenge. Come see head coach Beth Combs dress from head-to-toe in purple on Sunday! Tickets start at just $2.
The Wildcats are coming off a 72-53 road loss to Penn State Thursday. Ellen Jaeschke led NU with 18 points and seven rebounds while Jenny Eckhart and Meshia Reed each added nine points. Following the bout with the Buckeyes, Northwestern hosts Michigan State on Jan. 17 before traveling to Purdue on Jan. 20 and to Wisconsin on Jan. 27. The game against the Badgers will be broadcast live on the Big Ten Network.
Scouting the Buckeyes
No. 19/19 Ohio State enters today's contest carrying a 12-3 overall record and a 3-1 mark in conference play. The Buckeyes, offensively led by 6-4 freshman Jantel Lavender, top the conference in points scored (72.3), scoring margin (16.8) and field goal percentage (47 percent). Lavender is fourth in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 16.7 ppg, and is leading OSU on the glass with 9.9 rpg. Senior guard Marscilla Packer joins Lavender in double-figure scoring with 14.6 ppg. The defending Big Ten champions' only three losses have come to Auburn (67-58), No. 3 Maryland (77-52) and most recently to Michigan State (60-53). Ohio State is coming off a 71-59 victory over Indiana at Value City Arena in which three Buckeyes tallied double digits--Lavender (23), Packer (17) and senior Tamarah Riley (16). Lavender pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds in the win.
The Series Against Ohio State
Ohio State holds a 31-15 advantage in the all-time series against Northwestern. The last time the Wildcats defeated OSU was in 1999.
Jaeschke Steps It Up
Junior Ellen Jaeschke has elevated her game since the beginning of conference play, and last time out against Penn State was no different. Jaeschke turned in an 18-point performance, marking the third time in the past five games she has scored in double figures. She contributed 10 points against DePaul on Dec. 20 and 12 points against Michigan on Jan. 6. The junior is now third on the team in scoring, averaging 9.6 ppg. She is also second on the team in rebounds, pulling down 6.7 per outing.
Last Time Out Against The Lady Lions
Though the outcome wasn't what the 'Cats were looking for, several good things happened last time out against Penn State. Northwestern only turned the ball over 12 times, the lowest number so far this season. Additionally, the Wildcats shot a season-best 90 percent (10-of-11) from the free throw line
In Conference Play...
Several Wildcats have stepped up their performances since the start of the conference season. Freshman Meshia Reed ranks seventh in the Big Ten in scoring (15.3 ppg), Amy Jaeschke is fourth in rebounding (8.3 rpg) and Nadia Bibbs comes in 10th in assists (3.50) and ninth in steals (2.25). Reed is also seventh in 3-point percentage (.364) and third in 3-point field goals made (2.00). Jaeschke is tied for fourth in blocks (1.50) and second in defensive rebounds (6.25).
For complete game notes, please click on the PDF above.
