Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Welcome SIU-Edwardsville To Evanston Friday Evening
11/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 19, 2009
Southern Illinois-Edwardsville Game Notes 
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After recording a solid 73-64 road victory over Mid-America Conference West favorite Toledo last Friday, the Wildcats dig in for a marathon of basketball, hosting five games in the eight next days.
First up for NU (1-0) is Ohio Valley foe Southern Illinois-Edwardsville (1-2) today, followed by IPFW on Sunday, Nov. 22. Northwestern hosts intra-city rival DePaul on Tuesday, Nov. 24 before breaking for the holiday. Play resumes on Friday, Nov. 27 when NU hosts the 26th annual DoubleTree White Invitational featuring College of Charleston, Iowa State and Penn. The 'Cats battle College of Charleston in the second game on Friday before facing Penn at approx. 4 p.m. Saturday. The College of Charleston game will be carried live on the Big Ten Network.
Fans wishing to follow Friday's action can do so through the Big Ten Network's live stream or on . The game will also be available on Twitter under the username @NU_sportsLIVE.
Last time out...
Junior Amy Jaeschke scored a game-high 27 points while Ohio natives Brittany Orban and Kendall Hackney added 13 apiece as Northwestern emerged victorious, 73-64, in its first contest of the 2009-10 campaign. Orban and Jaeschke led NU on the boards with eight each. Northwestern is now 26-9 all-time in season-openers.
Opponent Profile
SIU-E Cougars
• 2009-10 Record: 1-2
• Series History: First Meeting
• Last Meeting: First Meeting
• The Cougars enter their second season as a Division I competitor and are a member of the Ohio Valley Conference.
• Southern Illinois-Edwardsville is led by Raven Berry, who is averaging 13.0 ppg an 7.7 rpg. Melia Duncan (10.7 ppg.), Danielle Bennett (11.0 ppg) and Ashley Bey (11.0 ppg) round out the other double-digit performers for SIU-E.
• The Cougars welcome six new members to this year's roster.
• SIU-E enters Friday's contest with a 1-2 record, having defeated Ohio Valley top-dog Morehead State, 67-64 in the season-opener and falling to Milwaukee, 85-60. The Cougars most recently lost to Valparaiso, 64-55 on Wednesday.
• At the age of 30, Head Coach Amanda Levens is the third-youngest coach in the Division I ranks.
Jaeschke Dominates In 'Cats First Victory
Junior All-America candidate Amy Jaeschke picked up right where she left off last season: topping the Wildcats' scoring column. The 6-5 center scored a game-high 27 points on 11-of-18 from the field, and grabbed eight rebounds to lead NU to a 73-64 victory over Toledo in the season-opener. Jaeschke also added four blocks, four steals and three assists in the winning effort, which was also Coach McKeown's first road victory at the helm for NU.
Jaeschke Named to Preseason Naismith Watch List
Junior center Amy Jaeschke was named to the preseason Naismith Watch List. It is the second time in as many years that the she has received the honor.
The watch list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, which based its criteria on player performances from the previous year and expectations for the 2009-10 college basketball season. The Naismith Trophy presented by AT&T will be awarded at the 2010 NCAA Women's Final Four in San Antonio, Texas.
Jaeschke is one of six Big Ten players to be earmarked as one of the best in college basketball. Also on the list is Alyssa DeHaan (Michigan State), Tyra Grant (Penn State), Jantel Lavender (Ohio State), Samantha Prahalis (Ohio State) and Jenna Smith (Illinois).
Welcome Home
Ohio natives Brittany Orban and Kendall Hackney stepped up in their home state with strong performances last Friday against Toledo. Both tallied 13 points and combined to go 11-of-12 from the free-throw line. Hackney, a freshman, added five rebounds and two steals while Orban hauled down a game-high eight rebounds and dished out two assists.
Free Ticket; We'll Take It
The Wildcats converted on 27-of-33 (81 percent) free-throws in the season-opener against Toledo, and were a perfect 8-of-8 in the final three minutes. Sophomore Brittany Orban was 9-of-10 while freshman Dannielle Diamant went 5-of-6. Four other 'Cats were a perfect 2-of-2 from the charity stripe.
Complete game notes can be found by clicking on the PDF above.
