Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
7-0
Loyola
2-5
| Team | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loyola | 15 | 18 | 33 |
| Northwestern | 43 | 27 | 70 |
Team Stats
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
'Cats Complete Chicagoland Sweep with Big Win Over Ramblers
12/7/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern was crowned champions of Chicagoland women's basketball Sunday after taking down the visiting Loyola Ramblers at Welsh-Ryan Arena, 70-33. The Wildcats have also defeated Chicago State, UIC and then-18th-ranked DePaul en route to its first 7-0 start since the 1995-96 campaign.
Northwestern outrebounded Loyola, 53-35. Seven different players notched at least four rebounds Sunday, led by Nia Coffey, Maggie Lyon and Lauren Douglas who hauled in seven apiece. The 'Cats also shared the basketball extremely well as they piled up 22 assists on 28 field goals. Five different players had at least three helpers, including Ashley Deary who passed out six, which matched a season high.
Loyola scored only 33 points Sunday, the lowest total for any Northwestern opponent this season. It's the fewest points allowed by the Wildcats since surrendering the same amount in a 64-33 win against Chicago State on Nov. 13, 2013. The Ramblers show 19.4 percent from the field in the game, marking the second time this season that an NU opponent has been below 20 percent. Hampton shot 14.1 percent in Northwestern's home opener on Nov. 16.
"As we go into finals week, we're happy to be 7-0," said Northwestern head coach Joe McKeown. "After that we've got four games in six days, which is almost like an NBA schedule. We've got to take some time to make some A's on our tests, get healthy and then get ready to play."
On a festive afternoon in which NU worked with Autism Speaks to raise awareness and provide a fun family environment, the home team was in control from the onset. Loyola led 3-2 just 3:02 into the ballgame, but the Wildcats unleashed a 29-6 run that finished with a three-pointer from Deary with 6:23 remaining in the opening half.
Coffey's three-pointer with 47 seconds left gave the 'Cats a half-high 29-point lead and the team took a 28-point cushion into the locker room, 43-15. Coffey and Christen Inman were both in double figures with 10 points, while all five of Northwestern's starters tallied at least five points each.
The Wildcats, who received votes in both the Associated Press and USA Today coaches top 25 polls this week, shot 58.1 percent in the first half, connecting on 18 of their 31 field-goal attempts. That was the highest conversion rate in a half since NU shot 58.8 percent in the second half during the opening-night triumph over Chicago State. On the flip side, Loyola shot just 20 percent and committed 10 turnovers in the opening stanza.
Northwestern continued to stifle its crosstown rival into the second half. A three-pointer by Lyon, one of three on the day, gave the 'Cats a 48-18 advantage just 2:09 into the second stanza and it sparked a 9-0 run that finished with a fast-break layup by Deary following one of her two steals.
NU's lead eclipsed 40 points with six minutes left when Alex Cohen converted an easy basket that gave the home team a 65-24 edge. For Cohen, the basket gave her two of her game-high 14 points. It was her greatest output since pouring in 18 at Chicago State on Nov. 14. The senior center also added a career-high four steals, four rebounds and a game-high three blocks.
The Wildcats were able to utilize all 14 players on the roster, including newcomer Maya Jonas who made her collegiate debut for Northwestern. The Whitefish Bay, Wis., native was unable to break into the scoring column Sunday, but she did register two rebounds and an assist in six minutes on the floor. Douglas netted eight points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks in a strong all-around effort.
The 'Cats will break for eight days to focus on final exams. The next game will take place when the Gonzaga Bulldogs visit Welsh-Ryan Arena on Monday, Dec. 15 for a special noon start. It's Field Trip Day and thousands of local elementary school students will be on hand to cheer on Northwestern in its final nonconference home game. In addition, tickets are available for all fans for just $1.
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