Despite Torrid Start, NU Falls to DePaul in Crosstown Rivalry

12/13/2017 9:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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

By Daniel Sagerman
NUsports.com Correspondent

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern raced off to an impressive start, but DePaul posted a second-half run to defeat the Wildcats, 92-63, at historic Beardsley Gym on Wednesday night.

The Wildcats opened the game on a 20-2 run while limiting DePaul's high-powered offense to just nine percent shooting (1-of-11) in the first seven-plus minutes. Six different Wildcats scored in the first quarter, led by first-year guard Lindsey Pulliam's six points, as NU led 22-12 after the opening period.

The Blue Demons came into the game averaging 89.4 points per contest, sixth-best in the nation, and appeared to hit their stride midway through the first quarter. An 18-2 run brought DePaul to within two, but the 'Cats fought back. A back-and-forth second quarter ended with a 37-33 Northwestern lead at the break.

The backcourt tandem of Pulliam and fellow first year Jordan Hamilton were key to the fast NU start, as they combined for 20 of the Wildcats' 37 first-half points. Hamilton, however, left the game with a lower-body injury in the third quarter and did not return. She had 10 points and a career-high eight rebounds prior to exiting the contest.

DePaul opened the second half strong, taking a 51-39 lead midway through the third.

Northwestern could not shoot its way back into the game from that point. The Blue Demons finished the game shooting 43.2 percent, while the 'Cats shot 37.9 percent from the field.

Chicago's Big Ten Team heads to Springfield, Missouri, for a road matchup with Missouri State on Saturday, December 16th. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. The next home game is Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. That game is the annual Field Trip Day.

Team Notes

NU started the game on a 20-2 run, holding DePaul to nine percent shooting over the first 7-plus minutes (1-of-11).

Individual Notes

First-year guard Lindsey Pulliam finished with 14 points … She entered the game averaging 15.5 points per game, a team-leading mark and the most for a Big Ten rookie this season.
- She has led the Wildcats in scoring a team-high seven times this season.
First-year guard Jordan Hamilton finished with double-digit points for the second time in her career … She set a career high with two made three-pointers … She has had a three-pointer in three-straight games.
- She left the game with a lower-body injury.
Sophomore forward Abi Scheid finished with 14 points … Her sixth-consecutive game scoring double digits and her team-leading tenth game overall.
Senior guard Lydia Rohde knocked down a three-pointer with 6:54 left in the first quarter … She has made a three-pointer in seven of 11 games this season (63 percent).
- Rohde came into the game shooting 5-for-9 in two games against DePaul in her career (.556).
Sophomore Bryana Hopkins set career highs with seven points and eight field goal attempts.