Wildcats Run Past Missouri State, 75-52

11/16/2016 9:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Post-Game Press Conference Highlights Post-Game Notes

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern senior Christen Inman scored a game high 18 points and classmate Ashley Deary added 10 to go along with a season-high eight assists as the Wildcats defeated Missouri State, 75-52, Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Lauren Douglas and Lydia Rohde each added double figure scoring with 10 apiece. Eleven different Wildcats ended up on the score sheet, and Northwestern's defense held the Lady Bears to the lowest score by a Northwestern opponent since Alcorn State had 47 in December 2015.

Northwestern improved to a perfect 3-0 on the season.

Inman started the game hot, scoring five points in the opening minutes. The Lady Bears hung basket for basket with the Wildcats for six minutes until Lydia Rohde caught fire.

The sophomore from Brookfield, Wis. has had a good start to the season, shooting 56 percent from three. In a span of 70 seconds, Rohde went on an 8-2 run of her own, drilling a pair of threes and finishing at the rim in transition. After Byrdy Galernik found Oceana Hamilton for a buzzer beating layup, the Wildcats ended the quarter up 24-13.

Northwestern's defense stifled Missouri State in the first half, holding them to just 29 percent shooting. The Wildcats entered the game leading the nation in blocks and continued that trend by recording six in the first half alone, while also forcing five turnovers.

The Wildcats were finding their way to the rim on offense, scoring 22 of their 42 first half points in the paint, while chipping in nine more from the free throw line. Inman and Rohde led the way with double-digits in points, while Douglas notched eight of her own to go with four blocks, as Northwestern cruised to a 42-28 halftime lead.

Inman got off to another hot start in the second half, scoring the first four points of the half. As the score widened, 14 Wildcats saw action, including Allie Tuttle and Abi Scheid each adding a pair of baskets off the bench in the third. The defense continued to shine in the period, allowing just five made field goals, and the Wildcats finished the quarter up 60-40.

Deary, who set the Big Ten single season record for steals last year, recorded a season-high six, and Northwestern finished with 10 steals and eight blocks. Jordan Hankins hit a three in her first action of the game, capping off Northwestern's 75-52 victory.

Chicago's Big Ten Team returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 19 at DePaul, before returning home to host Florida at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 25.