Northwestern Knocks off No. 5 Ohio State

1/14/2016 8:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. — Maggie Lyon and Nia Coffey combined for 47 points and Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah posted a double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds, as Northwestern knocked off No. 5 Ohio State 86-82 on Thursday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

The Wildcats had to work for their second conference win of the season, as the Buckeyes battled back from an early deficit to make it a game. But Northwestern was able to grind out the victory, outrebounding Ohio State 46-35 and scoring 18 second-chance points.

The Wildcats handed Ohio State their first Big Ten loss of the season.

"Ohio State's a great team, but our players just responded to the challenge," head coach Joe McKeown said.

Northwestern began the game on a 10-3 run, overwhelming the Buckeyes with a balanced offensive attack that saw four players get on the board early. But after Ohio State closed the gap, it was Lyon who kept the Wildcats in control.

"We just rotated the ball really well tonight. I think we were focusing on reversing the ball and not taking the quickest shot, but the best shot," Lyon said. "I got some open looks in the beginning and knocked a few down."

Shooting a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc, Lyon finished the quarter with 11 points and helped give Northwestern a 27-16 after the first ten minutes. But once Northwestern began firing on all cylinders, it built a big lead over the Buckeyes.

The Wildcats led 48-30 on 48 percent shooting at halftime, with Lyon and Coffey combining for 31 points. The output was Northwestern's highest scoring half in Big Ten play.

The Wildcats never trailed in the game and led by as much as 23 with 8:45 left in the 3rd quarter.

Northwestern was forced to hold off a stingy Ohio State team in the second half, as the Buckeyes closed the gap to four in the fourth quarter. But thanks to some clutch buckets from Ashley Deary, Kunaiyi-Akpanah and Lyon, the Wildcats managed to hang on for the victory.

With her first career double-double, Kunaiyi-Akpanah established herself as weapon in the paint, but also used a knockdown jump shot to spread the floor against Ohio State.

"One of the reasons we recruited her is we felt she could be a physical presence around the glass," McKeown said. "She was able to score around the basket and she got offensive rebounds and put-backs. She was poised."

For her part, Kunaiyi-Akpanah credited her teammates with providing her an environment in which she could succeed.

"It's a really great feeling and my teammates have been really supportive," Kunaiyi-Akpanah said. "When I make a mistake they're always just telling me that it's OK, just get the next one. I'm just very happy to have great teammates."