Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Open Home Slate Against Kansas State Monday Evening
11/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2008
EVANSTON, ILL. -- Northwestern (0-1) looks to rebound from Friday night's 76-69 loss at Chicago State and win its sixth-consecutive home opener Monday evening when it hosts Kansas State (1-0) in an 8 p.m. showdown. The game is being televised live on the Big Ten Network.
Entering the Game...
• Kansas State opens the season with a pair of road contests, having already defeated UTEP, 65-44, Friday evening. Meanwhile, Northwestern remains at home for the majority of the non-conference season. Aside from the Wildcats' game against Chicago State this past Friday night, NU only has one more road game over the next six contests (at Arkansas on Nov. 22).
• Sophomore Amy Jaeschke recorded her first double-double of the season, pouring in 21 points and grabbing a career-best 14 boards, but it was not enough as Chicago State bested the Wildcats 76-69 Friday night. Fellow sophomore Meshia Reed and freshman Brittany Orban joined Jaeschke in double figures, contributing 12 points each.
• Shalee Lehning, a preseason Wooden Award nominee, led Kansas State to victory against UTEP Friday night. The senior recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists and added seven rebounds and four steals to her stat line.
Scouting the "Other" Wildcats
Northwestern battles the first of seven NCAA Tournament opponents they will face this season when the Wildcats of the Kansas State variety roll into Evanston Monday evening. Kansas State, a fifth-seed in last year's Tournament, advanced to the second round before losing to No. 19 Louisville. Big 12 Coach of the Year Deb Patterson returns five players who started at least 10 games last season, hinting at the possibility of another run at the league crown. Additionally, KSU is receiving votes in both polls at the outset of the season. The `Cats will lean heavily on preseason All-America and Wooden Award candidate Shalee Lehning in the backcourt, while Marlies Gipson and her 11.7 points and 7.5 rebounds per game return to the front court.
Lehning tallied 11 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds in the Wildcats' season opener at UTEP Friday evening. KSU displayed a balanced attack in the 65-44 victory, as three Wildcats notched double digits and three more scored seven or more points. Kansas State dominated UTEP on the boards (43-27) while taking care of business on the offensive end, shooting 44 percent from the field, including a 48 percent FG effort in the second half.
The Series
Today's match up is the fourth time these squads have met. Northwestern holds a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series, but the games have proven to be nail biters. The last two contests have gone into overtime, with NU prevailing both times. The only time Kansas State beat NU was in 1984 when they came away with a 97-65 victory in Evanston.
Evaluating the Opposition
During the 2008-09 season, Northwestern faces seven opponents who appeared in last year's NCAA Tournament. They include Monday's opponent Kansas State (5 seed), Ohio State (6), Marquette (7), Iowa (9), Minnesota (9), DePaul (10) and Missouri (13).
Jaeschke Shines in 76-69 Loss to Chicago State
Sophomore Amy Jaeschke picked up right where she left off last season: topping the Wildcats' scoring column. The 6-5 center scored 21 points and a career-high 14 rebounds against Chicago State in the season-opener Friday night. She was 10-of-17 from the field with three assists and five blocks.
Youth Movement
In Friday's season-opener, the underclassmen accounted for 73 percent of the total point production (51-of-69 points). Freshmen Brittany Orban and Maggie Mocchi tallied 12 and six points, respectively, while sophomores Meshia Reed (12 points) and Amy Jaeschke (21 points) played major roles in the effort. The Wildcats feature eight underclassmen and six veterans.
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