Northwestern Takes Down No. 16 Florida, 73-68

Friday, November 25

Evanston, Ill.

7 p.m.

Northwestern

4-1

Florida

4-1

FLORIDA

NORTHWESTERN

Northwestern Takes Down No. 16 Florida, 73-68

11/25/2016 10:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Gameday Sights Post-Game Interview: Joe McKeown Post-Game Interview: Coffey/Deary Post-Game Notes Highlights

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern earned a signature nonconference win with a 73-68 victory over No. 16 Florida on Friday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Senior Nia Coffey played for the first time since Nov. 13 and her impact was felt immediately. She stuffed the stat sheet to the tune of a game-high 26 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks. It was her 53rd straight time with double-digit points and her 43rd career double-double.

Fellow senior Ashley Deary was recognized pregame for scoring her 1,000th career point on Nov. 13 in the Wildcats' win over Oral Roberts. She promptly scored 10 on Friday to go along with a game high nine assists.

The veteran play mixed nicely with the Wildcats' youth, as true freshman Abi Scheid scored a career-high 13 points and collected five rebounds.

It was Northwestern's first win over a ranked opponent since knocking off No. 5 Ohio State on Jan. 14 last season.

Northwestern shot 44 percent from the field, while holding Florida to just 38 percent. The 'Cats made five three-pointers and knocked down 16 free throws, compared to the Gators' seven.

Lydia Rohde was the first to attack for the 'Cats, logging her first triple just seconds into Friday's matchup. Her efforts triggered a seven-point run as Northwestern took an early lead, 7-0. The Gators chipped away at the deficit, using a 10-2 surge to take over with four minutes remaining in the first period. Coffey drained back-to-back buckets to level the score at 18, but Florida was able to add one from beyond the arc to close out the first quarter with a three-point advantage.

The Gators added to their lead by as many as six points in the early going of the second frame, but that did not deter Northwestern. With seven minutes remaining in the half, Coffey scored seven straight to put the Wildcats back on top, 34-32. A Florida three-pointer broke NU's streak, and the teams entered the halftime break level at 38.

Another Rohde triple put the Wildcats ahead early in the third period, 43-41, but Florida took command for the remainder of the quarter. The Gators led by seven with 3:02 left in the frame before a Scheid layup and a pair of free throws put Northwestern back within arms reach.

Florida took a four-point advantage into the final quarter, but Scheid and redshirt-junior Oceana Hamilton teamed up for a pair of buckets to even the score for the fifth time, 62-62. Hamilton followed with a free throw to give the 'Cats a lead it would not relinquish. The Gators closed the gap to one point with 2:40 left on the clock, but Northwestern broke away down the stretch for a 73-68 win.

The Wildcats are back in action on Sunday, Nov. 27, when they host Evansville for Parent/Child Day. Tip is set for 2 p.m., and the game will be streamed live on BTN Plus on BTN2Go. Bring your parents to Welsh-Ryan Arena and join us for a special event postgame. Enjoy some tunes and use the court as your dance floor or shoot some baskets where the 'Cats play!

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