Deary Breaks Big Ten Single-Season Steals Record

2/23/2016 8:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By Austin Siegel, Northwestern Correspondent

EVANSTON, Ill. - Ashley Deary set a Big Ten single-season record with 125 steals and Nia Coffey swatted a career-high six blocks as Northwestern (15-14, 4-13 B1G) fell to Michigan (17-11, 9-8 B1G) in its home finale at Welsh-Ryan Arena, 70-65.

"It was a hard-nosed Big Ten game. We just couldn't make enough plays when we had chances," said head coach Joe McKeown. "We had good looks and I thought we fought really hard."

Northwestern took the lead after a back-and-forth first quarter, in which the Wildcats simply outmuscled Michigan in the post. Coffey recorded two blocks in the opening period as the 'Cats locked down the Wolverines behind a stifling defensive effort.

Coffey turned in the kind of performance that leaves no doubt as to why she earned a place on the John R. Wooden Award Late Season Top 20 List. Her game-high 22 points lead Northwestern's offense, but her six rebounds and six blocks flashed the all-around game that has proven why the junior is one of the strongest forwards in the country.

Chasing the Big Ten single-season record for steals, Ashley Deary came into the game needing just five more to set the conference record. She would record her 125^th steal of the season in the second half, shattering a league mark that has stood for 20 years.

"She didn't come here for records, she came here to win and to be part of a winning tradition so I think that's more important to her," McKeown said.

Deary's 126 steals are the most in the nation and have contributed to Northwestern's conference leading 10.4 steals per game.

Despite trailing by as many as 13 points in the second half, the 'Cats continued to battle Michigan down the stretch, as Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah added another impressive performance to what has been a remarkable freshman campaign. Her fourth double-double of the year helped Northwestern limited Michigan in the paint, as she recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds against U-M.

"She definitely brings momentum and energy to the team," Deary said. "I feel like the offensive rebounds that she gets are big time and are really deflating for any defense so she os definitely a game-changer."

A 9-0 run from Chicago's Big Ten Team helped close the gap midway through the fourth quarter, but Michigan would hang on to escape from Evanston with a victory.

Maggie Lyon scored seven points and collected four rebounds in her final regular-season game at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The 'Cats will end their regular-season slate with a trip to Lincoln, Nebraska, on Sunday. Tip is set for 3 p.m. and will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.