Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Tangle With Wolverines Thursday Evening
2/4/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 4, 2009
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern takes the court against the Michigan Wolverines Thursday at 7 p.m. at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The game will be streamed live on www.bigtennetwork.com. The Wildcats have a bye this upcoming weekend before gearing up for two road contests the following week. NU faces Illinois on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. before visiting Ohio State on Feb. 15 for a 10 a.m. CT game that will be carried live on the Big Ten Network.
Last Time Out ... Northwestern fell to Purdue 70-44 Sunday afternoon at Mackey Arena. Amy Jaesckhe led Northwestern with nine points while Kristin Cartwright and Ellen Jaeschke each contributed eight. Ellen Jaeschke also added a game-high three steals.
Upcoming Promotions ... Thursday, February 19 vs. Indiana at 7:00 pm
WBCA Pink Zone presented by Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Join the `Cats as they celebrate the WBCA Pink ZoneTM, formerly known as "Think Pink", an initiative to raise breast cancer awareness in women's basketball, on campuses and in communities. Highlights of the event to include special event jerseys, silent auction, and giveaways. All advance tickets are $2. Tickets are regular priced on day of game.
Scouting the Wolverines
The Wolverines enter Thursday's contest with a 10-12 overall mark and a 3-8 record in the Big Ten. Michigan, like Northwestern's last home opponent, Illinois, had been on a significant losing streak before winning the game prior to battling Northwestern. UM was on a six-game skid before defeating Wisconsin at home, 70-42, on Sunday. In fact, the Wolverines have not won a road conference game all season. After starting the year out strong with wins over perennial powerhouses Notre Dame, North Carolina State and tight losses to Texas A&M and Duke, Michigan has flattened out to win just three out of its last 11 games. However, of those eight losses, only three have been by double-figures and five by eight points or less. Senior Jessica Minnfield is the Wolverines' lone scorer in double figures with 10.3 ppg, while fellow classmate Stephany Skrba is the team's leading rebounder with 4.7 per outing.
The Series against Michigan
Northwestern holds a 33-22 advantage in the all-time series between these two squads. The last time the two teams met was on Dec. 28 in Ann Arbor when the home team claimed a 66-54 victory. Prior to that, Northwestern had won three out of the last five meetings.
National Girls and Women in Sports Day!
The 23rd annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD), celebrated around the country officially on Feb. 4, is being recognized around the league on Thursday. The Wildcats are celebrating by offering two free youth admissions with each paid adult admission. All fans will have the chance to meet members of the Wildcat women's basketball team during a post-game autograph session.
Jaeschke Etches Her Name In NU Record Books
Sophomore Amy Jaeschke has already clawed her way into the Wildcat record books. Jaeschke now tops the single-season blocks list as she currently has 73 on the season. She also appears in the double-doubles list, notching a team-leading seven so far this season.
Forget Purdue: About Those Last Two Games...
The Wildcats have stumbled over a particularly large streak of bad luck over the last couple contests (Purdue excluded). Against Minnesota on Sunday, Jan. 25, Northwestern battled back to earn a final possession down three with 14 seconds left, but couldn't convert, falling by three in Minneapolis. Last Thursday against Illinois, the ball didn't bounce NU's way and two possessions passed without the necessary point to tie the game.
For complete game notes, please click on the link above.
