Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Welcomes No. 15 DePaul to Evanston Tuesday Evening
11/23/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 23, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Tuesday marks the halfway point in NU's five games in eight days basketball marathon, having won the first two contests by convincing margins. The 'Cats defeated SIU-Edwardsville 68-37 Friday evening and IPFW 78-58 Sunday afternoon. Northwestern is now a perfect 3-0 on the season--its best start since the 2006-07 campaign--and faces its toughest challenge of the young season Tuesday when it battles No. 15 DePaul. Game time is set for 8 p.m. and will follow the men's basketball game against Liberty, which tips at 5:30 p.m.
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...
Amy Jaeschke made good on a layup a minute and a half into the game and Northwestern never relinquished the lead, besting IPFW, 78-58, Sunday afternoon at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Jaeschke led all scorers with 18 points and nine rebounds while freshman Kendall Hackney added 12 points and sophomore Maggie Mocchi chipped in 10. Ten Wildcats found the scoring column as the team improves to 3-0 on the season. It is the program's best start since the 2006-07 campaign.
Opponent profile:
Depaul Blue Demons
• 2008-09 Record: 23-10
• 2009-10 Record: 4-0
• Series History: DePaul leads, 13-12
• Last Meeting: 2008, Depaul, 60-51
• No. 17 DePaul enters today's contest with an unblemished 4-0 record, having posted convincing victories over Central Michigan (86-76), North Dakota State (77-65), Cornell (89-50) and most recently, San Diego (84-64).
• Last season, the Blue Demons dropped a 76-70 decision to San Diego State in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
• DePaul is led by local product Deirdre Naughton, who was a teammate of NU's Amy Jaeschke at New Trier High School. Naughton is currently averaging 17.5 ppg and 7.0 rpg. Both Naughton and Jaeschke made the Preseason Naismith Trophy Watch List last week.
• Joining Naughton in double-figures are Keisha Hampton (14.3 ppg) and Jennifer Juergens (12.5 ppg). Felicia Chester tops DePaul's rebounding category, hauling down 8.8 boards per outing.
Jaeschke tabbed Big Ten Player of the Week
Junior Amy Jaeschke was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week by the conference office after spearheading two impressive victories for the Wildcats this past week. The 6-5 center averaged 17.0 ppg and 12.0 rpg and recorded 14 blocks as the `Cats improved their record to a perfect 3-0 on the season. It is the second time in her career Jaeschke has garnered the honor.
Jaeschke Dominates In First Three Contests
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. On Friday, she was equally impressive, notching her first double-double of the season; a 16-point, 15-rebound performance against SIU-E. Jaeschke also tied her career-best in blocks with nine rejections, which is also a single-game Wildcat best. Sunday she once again posted an outstanding stat line, leading the way with a game-high 18 points and nine rebounds while also adding four assists and five blocks.
Diamant Steps Up Against SIU-E
Freshman Dannielle Diamant recorded the first double-double of her career against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville on Friday. The Las Vegas, Nev., native tallied a game-high 17 points 4-of-6 from the field and 8-of-10 from the free-throw line while also pulling down 10 rebounds. She also added two assists and one block. Diamant has started the first three contests for the 'Cats.
Restricted Area
Northwestern held Southern Illinois-Edwardsville to just 14 first-half points Friday evening, which was the lowest total of the McKeown era.
Rejected...
Amy Jaeschke's nine blocks against SIU-E last time out tied her career-high and and also matched a single-game Wildcat record. Jaeschke also recorded nine rejections against Texas Southern on Dec. 16, 2008.
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).
Complete game notes can be viewed by clicking on the PDF above.
