Pulliam, Defense Shine in 68-36 Win Over Stony Brook

12/10/2017 2:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season Stats (PDF)Post-Game Press Conference

EVANSTON, Ill. — First-year guard Lindsey Pulliam scored 20 points and sophomore forward Abi Scheid added 11 as the Wildcats cruised to a 68-36 win over Stony Brook on Sunday afternoon at historic Beardsley Gym.

In the teams' first-ever meeting, the Wildcats out-shot the Seawolves 49.1 percent to 24.1 percent and allowed their fewest points since Chicago State scored 36 on November 10. The 'Cats also forced a season-high 20 turnovers while committing a season-low 10.

Pulliam's 20 points were her most since scoring 29 against Syracuse on Nov. 30. The Silver Spring, Maryland, native has notched double-digit points in eight of Northwestern's ten games this season and was the team's leading scorer for the sixth time.

The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with Northwestern trailing 8-4 early on. The #B1GCats proceeded to end the quarter on a 12-5 run to lead 14-13, capped by a Byrdy Galernik jumper to give the home team the lead. The sophomore guard finished with six points, five rebounds, and three assists.

The Wildcats cruised in the second quarter, outscoring the Seawolves, 20-9. A jumper by sophomore forward Bryana Hopkins at the halftime buzzer put the 'Cats ahead 34-22 going into the break.

Northwestern started strong to begin the third quarter, outscoring Stony Brook, 17-8, for a 51-30 lead. Stony Brook only mustered six points in the final period, while the 'Cats added on another 17. A total of nine Wildcats contributed on the scoreboard, with the final two courtesy of first-year guard Brooke Pikiell — her first collegiate points.

The win gave head coach Joe McKeown his 90th non-conference win at the helm of the Wildcats. He has a 90-30 (.750) record in non-conference play, including a 63-12 record (.840) in home non-conference contests.

Chicago's Big Ten Team hosts crosstown rival DePaul on Wednesday, December 13, at 7 p.m. at Beardsley Gym.

Team Notes

Northwestern won its first all-time meeting with Stony Brook.
Head Coach Joe McKeown picked up his 90th non-conference win as Northwestern head coach … He has a 90-30 (.750) record in non-conference play … He has led his Wildcats to a 63-12 record (.840) in home non-conference contests.
NU only committed 10 turnovers, a season-low output … The previous low mark was 12, coming against Milwaukee (Dec. 3) … The Wildcats forced 20 turnovers, a season-high output.
The Wildcats only allowed 36 points to Stony Brook, tied for the fewest by an NU opponent this year (also, Chicago State, Nov. 10) … Northwestern came into the game ranking second in the Big Ten in scoring defense, holding foes to just 58.6 points per game.
Chicago's Big Ten Team limited Stony Brook to only 24.1 percent shooting, the second-lowest opponent shooting output against NU this season … The Wildcats came into the contest limiting opponents to only 34 percent, the best mark in the Big Ten.
NU remains undefeated when holding its competition under 50 points scoring (4-0).
Northwestern improved to 3-1 at historic Beardsley Gym this season … Chicago's Big Ten Team improved to 4-2 in white jerseys.
The Wildcats ended the first quarter on a 12-5 run to lead, 14-13 … NU outscored Stony Brook, 20-9, in the 2nd quarter.
Northwestern only allowed eight points in the third quarter, tied for the lowest allowed in the third quarter of a game this year and third-lowest in any quarter … Stony Brook only mustered six points in the final period, the lowest fourth quarter point total this season against NU.

Individual Notes

First year guard Lindsey Pulliam finished with 20 points … Most since scoring 29 against Syracuse ... She has notched double-digit points in eight of Northwestern's 10 games this season … NU is 5-3 in those contests … Her second 20-point game on the season … The newcomer has led the Wildcats in scoring for six of 10 games this season (60 percent).
Sophomore forward Abi Scheid finished with 11 points … her fifth-consecutive game scoring double digits and her team-leading ninth game overall.
First year guard Jordan Hamilton tied her career high with nine assists and set a career-high with four steals … She finished with seven points.
First year guard Brooke Pikiell scored her first collegiate points, while also logging career highs in rebounds and steals.
Sophomore forward Bry Hopkins tied her career high with four points and set a career high with seven field goal attempts.

Career Highs

Jordan Hamilton: 3PTM (1; tied), Assists (9; tied), Steals (4)
Bryana Hopkins: Points (4; tied), FGM (2; tied), FGA (7), 3FGA (1; tied), Blocks (2)
Brooke Pikiell: Points (2), FGM (1), FGA (2), Rebounds (1; tied), Steals (1; tied), Minutes (5)
Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah: Assists (3; tied)
Abbie Wolf: Assists (1; tied)
Byrdy Galernik: Rebounds (5)