Northwestern University Athletics
No. 18 Bucks Best 'Cats, 74-50
3/2/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 2, 2008
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Northwestern gave a valiant effort, but No. 18 Ohio State at home on Senior Day proved to be too much as the Wildcats concluded the regular-season with a 74-50 loss in Columbus Sunday afternoon. Freshman Amy Jaeschke (Wilmette, Ill./New Trier) and senior Nadia Bibbs (Chicago, Ill./Hillcrest) led Northwestern with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Northwestern shot 38 percent from the field to hold an early 10-8 lead through nearly the first 10 minutes of the half. The Wildcats continued their sharp-shooting, nailing 42 percent of their looks through the first 13 minutes of the game, ultimately finishing the half on a 40 percent clip.
The Buckeyes took a 17-14 lead with just under eight minutes left before Jaeschke and Ohio State went tit-for-tat over the next four trips down the floor. Jaeschke converted on three of the next four possessions to answer any significant spurt the Bucks attempted to string together. After Jaeschke's bucket with 4:56 remaining, OSU held Northwestern to just one basket the rest of the way, while stringing together 12 points to end the half on top 35-22.
Jaeschke led NU at the break with 10 points.
The Wildcats made just one of their first six attempts to open the first half while Ohio State continued to roll along, outscoring Northwestern 10-3 over the first six minutes to pull out to a 45-27 lead.
Northwestern kept battling, but Ohio State's deep bench and many weapons ultimately prevailed. With the victory, OSU claims a share of their fourth-consecutive Big Ten Championship.
The No. 11 Wildcats drew sixth-seeded Indiana in the opening day of the Big Ten Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind. Northwestern will play the second game of the day on Thursday, March 6, which will begin approximately 25 minutes after the first game. The first game is slated for 11 a.m. CT.
