Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Wrap Up Nonconference Slate With Chicagoland Rival Loyola
12/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 21, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern (RV/RV) concludes its nonconference schedule Tuesday when it battles Chicagoland foe Loyola in a 1 p.m. contest at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats, who have won four-straight contests, will also put the wraps on their best nonconference season in 14 years. Northwestern is off to its best start since the 1995-96 campaign when the 'Cats went 10-1 through their first 11 games.
After breaking for the holiday, Big Ten play resumes on Dec. 28 when Northwestern travels to Ann Arbor for a 6 p.m. CT battle with the Wolverines. A 3 p.m. contest at Welsh-Ryan Arena against Ohio State on New Year's Eve wraps up the 'Cats' 2009 slate.
Fans wishing to stay up to date on the action in Tuesday's game can do so by following the username @NU_sportsLIVE on Twitter. The game will be streamed live on NUsports.com.
Opponent profile
Loyola Ramblers
• 2009-10 Record: 5-4
• Series History: 19-0, Northwestern
• Last Meeting: Nov. 25, 2007; 63-47, Northwestern
'Cats Off To Best Start Since 1995-96 Season
With a 67-55 victory over Arkansas on Thursday, Dec. 17, Northwestern recorded its eighth win of the season, which surpasses its win total from all of last season (7-23). Additionally, the Wildcats are off to their best start since the 1995-96 campaign when they went 9-1 through their first 10 games. Northwestern was receiving votes in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls last week (this week's polls have not come out as of press time).
Northwestern Representing The Big Ten In A Big Way
Northwestern's victory over SEC foe Arkansas marked its third victory over a major BCS conference member. The Wildcats have knocked off a Big East team--then-No. 15 Depaul, 59-55; a Big XII member--Kansas State, 53-50; and then an SEC participant, Arkansas, 67-55. The Wildcats have already downed a fellow Big Ten rival, Purdue, 60-58, in the conference-opener on Dec. 6.
Orban Getting It Done For NU
Brittany Orban has been a huge contributor for Northwestern this season. The sophomore turned in her first double-double effort of the season against Chicago State (12.19.09) with 20 points and a career-high 10 caroms. She also chipped in four assists and was 4-of-5 from three-point land in the victory. Orban has now tallied double-figures six times this year, including three of the past four contests, and is second on the squad with 10.8 ppg.
For complete game notes, please click on the PDF above.
