Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Illinois
Illinois Squeaks Past 'Cats, 45-44
1/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 29, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Senior Ellen Jaeschke (Cary, Ill./Cary-Grove) recorded her first double-double of the season, netting 14 points on 5-of-7 from the field and pulling down 11 boards, but it wasn't enough as Illinois snuck past Northwestern by the narrowest of margins, 45-44, Thursday evening at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Jaeschke's 11 rebounds was an individual season-high. Kristin Cartwright (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) joined Jaeschke in double-figures with 12 points, including a 5-of-6 effort from the charity stripe.
With 1:05 on the clock and Illinois up by a bucket, the orange and blue sent Cartwright to the line after fouling her on a drive. The junior split the free-throws and the 'Cats made a huge defensive stop on the Illini's ensuing possession, thanks to an Amy Jaeschke (Wilmette, Ill./New Trier) block--one of her game-leading five on the evening. Following a turnover by NU with :27 remaining, the Wildcats' defense forced Illinois to cough up the ball. Northwestern had a shot at the end, but was called for traveling and was then forced to foul as time continued to tick off the clock.
After winning the tip, Northwestern jumped out to a 6-0 lead three minutes into the game, which forced Illinois to call a timeout in an effort break the 'Cats' momentum. The hiatus yielded an 8-2 swing in favor of the Illini, which notched the game at eight with 14:35 remaining in the first half.
Just under two minutes later, Northwestern poured in eight unanswered points, taking a 19-11 lead with 9:41 on the clock. Illinois answered with a 10-0 run, taking its first lead of the game--a 21-19 advantage--with just over four minutes left.
The 'Cats outscored the visitors 6-2 to end the half, taking a 27-24 lead into the locker room. Northwestern took advantage of its seven offensive rebounds, turning them into 11 second-chance points. NU also got eight points from the bench--four from both Meshia Reed (Country Club Hills, Ill./Stockbridge (Ga.)) and Ellen Jaeschke. Cartwright led NU with nine points at the break, while Amy Jaeschke added six points and five rebounds.
Illinois opened the half with six unanswered points to take a 31-27 lead before two free-throws by Ellen Jaeschke pulled NU to within two with just under 14 minutes left in the game.
The Illini held a slim lead until the 5:17 mark when back-to-back lay-ups by Maggie Mocchi (Wheeling, Ill./Buffalo Grove) and Ellen Jaeschke set the home team on top, 41-39. The two teams echoed each other's baskets over the next four minutes until the final minute.
In a game that saw seven lead changes, Northwestern out-shot and out-rebounded Illinois, notched more second-chance points and was boosted by 18 bench points.
The Wildcats are next in action when they travel to West Lafayette, Ind. for a 1 p.m. CT contest against Purdue on Sunday, Feb. 1.
