Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Officially Raise Curtain On 2011-12 Campaign
11/10/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 10, 2011
Northwestern (0-0) at Central Michigan (0-0)
Friday, November 11, 2011
McGuirk Arena (5,300)
Mt. Pleasant, Mich. • 11 a.m. CT
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Game Notes:CMUGameNotes
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern faces its first official test of the 2011-12 season when it tussles with Central Michigan at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11. The early tip time is to accommodate local grade schools, which will bring students to the game as part of the "Hoops for Hunger" initiative. The Chippewas team with local schools in the fight against hunger, bringing canned goods to the game and ultimately donating them to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. Northwestern head coach Joe McKeown and the women's basketball program also contributed to the cause.
"On behalf of Northwestern women's basketball team, we would like to make a donation to the Hoops for Hunger initiative. We hope our small contribution can help in some way," McKeown said.
Catching up with the 'Cats
Scouting Central Michigan
The Chippewas return two starters at the forward position in senior Skylar Miller and junior Brandie Baker, an All Mid-America preseason selection. They also return reigning conference sixth woman of the year, Taylor Johnson, as well as last year's MAC Freshman of the Year, Niki DiGuilio. CMU advanced to the title game of the 2011 MAC Tournament, and earned a berth in the WNIT, where they lost in the first round to Illinois State, a team the Wildcats play next week. Central Michigan was picked to finish second in this year's MAC preseason poll.
The Last Time These Two Teams Met...
Senior Amy Jaeschke dropped career-highs with 37 points and 17 rebounds against the Chippewas last season in Evanston to propel the 'Cats to a 92-84 victory. Northwestern's 92 points was a season-high, and its 51 points in the first half also topped last year's charts.
Taking Inventory
The Wildcats lost three starters from last year's squad, including All-American center Amy Jaeschke and fifth-year senior point guard and All-Big Ten selection, Beth Marshall. While NU lost a significant amount of offense with their departure, the Wildcats feature a bevy of veterans who can contribute in multiple ways. Returning is All-Big honoree Kendall Hackney finished second on the team in scoring last season, as well as senior captain Allison Mocchi and forward Dannielle Diamant. Brittany Orban has been a mainsty in the Wildcats' lineup for the past three years, starting nearly every game of her career, and brings not only experience but toughness.
Young 'Cats
Three new faces grace the hardwood for the Wildcats, in Morgan Jones, Karly Roser and Alex Cohen, a class that is arguably the strongest group to come to Evanston under McKeown's tenure. The group was ranked 14th by ESPN's Hoopgurlz
Welcome, Ms. Jones
When junior Tailor Jones looks to make a slick pass this year, she will have an all-too-familiar face to dish to. Her sister, Morgan, is a member of the oustanding freshman class and was ranked ninth in the nation and third at her position by Hoopgurlz. The sisters have played together on AAU teams in high school
Morgan, Morgan, Morgan
In addition to being ranked ninth in the nation and third at her position, Morgan Jones is the first Wildcat since Amy Jaeschke to be named a McDonald's All-American and a WBCA All-American.
'Cats Cruise Past Lewis In Exhibition Action
Northwestern held Lewis to just one bucket through the opening eight minutes and poured in 50 first-half points en route to a 83-61 exhibition victory at Welsh-Ryan Arena last Sunday afternoon. Senior Brittany Orban and freshman Morgan Jones led the Wildcats with 16 points each, while juniors Kendall Hackney and Dannielle Diamant added 12 apiece.
Complete game notes will be available by clicking on the PDF above.
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