Thursday, February 4
Champaign, Ill.
7 p.m.

Northwestern

14-9, 3-8B1G

69
at
59

Illinois

8-14, 1-10B1G

1
2
3
4
F
Northwestern
19
8
19
23
69
Illinois
7
25
10
17
59

Coffey, Inman Pace #B1GCats in Win over Illinois

2/4/2016 9:14:00 PM | Women's Basketball

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Juniors Nia Coffey and and Christen Inman logged a combined 40 points to lead the Wildcats as Northwestern (14-9, 3-8 B1G) defeated in-state rival Illinois (8-14, 1-10 B1G), 69-59, on Thursday night at State Farm Arena.

Senior co-captain Maggie Lyon joined the junior duo in double figures with 17 points of her own, while Ashley Deary poured in eight points and added seven rebounds, three assists and just as many steals. Coffey added 13 boards to her performance for her 12th double-double of the year.
 
The 'Cats jumped out to an early 6-0 lead before the Fighting Illini broke NU's early run with a bucket of their own. The Wildcats used an 8-0 run in the final two minutes of the first quarter to close out the frame with a 12-point advantage.
 
Illinois went on the attack in the second stanza, holding NU to just eight points over 10 minutes. The Illini opened up with a 13-2 run, highlighted by a pair of treys, to come within one before taking the lead with 5:49 left in the half.
 
A Coffey layup broke the Illini's surge, but Illinois entered the halftime break with a 32-27 lead.
 
The resilient Wildcats did not surrender as NU showcased a strong offensive performance in the third period. Coffey and Lyon teamed up for seven-unanswered points to level the game in the 25th minute.
 
Illinois took back the lead with a triple, but Coffey added another bucket and Inman nailed a shot from the charity stripe to put Northwestern back on top.
 
Inman went on a tear in the fourth frame, logging the first six points for the Wildcats. Lyon capped Inman's run with a jumper in the paint to draw a double-digit lead, 56-46, with four minutes left in regulation. The Illini threw up a late 3-pointer, but Northwestern hung on for the win.

For the game, Northwestern shot 41 percent (26-64) from the field, 11 percent (2-19) from 3-point range and 65 percent (15-23) from the charity stripe. Illinois connected on 32 percent of its shots (21-66), including 18 percent (5-28) from long range and 71 percent (12-17) from the free-throw line. The Wildcats won the rebounding battle, 51-39.

The Wildcats return to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday, Feb. 7, for a rematch against Minnesota for National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Tip off is set for 2 p.m., and will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.
 

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