Offensive Fireworks Lead Wildcats to New Year’s Eve Win Over Illinois

12/31/2017 3:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Northwestern (8-8, 1-1 Big Ten) capped the year off with an all-around dazzling offensive performance leading to a 74-59 year-ending victory over Big Ten foe Illinois (9-7, 0-2 Big Ten) at the State Farm Center on Sunday afternoon.

Four Wildcats finished in double-figures overall. Sophomore forward Abi Scheid, who has scored in double-figures in 14 of 16 NU games this season, posted a team-high 20 points, one shy of her career-high.

Junior forward Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah recorded her third-straight double-double and her eighth of the season. She had 16 points and 16 rebounds, her second-most in her career, trailing only her career-high output of 21 against Oakland.

Chicago's Big Ten Team has now won four in a row in Champaign, dating back to 2013, and improved its all-time mark against the Fighting Illini to 40-34. NU has also won six of its last seven over Illinois.

Despite the single-digit temperatures in central Illinois, the Wildcats registered a scorching clip from the field, shooting 48.3 percent.

The Wildcats were toothsome in the paint, outscoring Illinois, 36-20. NU also out-assisted Illinois, 20-10.

Northwestern played impermeable defense against the Fighting Illini in the first half, limiting them to 32.1 percent shooting. NU, on the other hand, posted a fervid shooting percentage of 51.9 percent.

Scheid was the Wildcat exemplar, finishing the first half with a team-high 12 points, including shooting 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.

In all, Northwestern shot a blistering 71 percent (5-of-7) from three-point land in the first half, including a pair from first year guard Jordan Hamilton, who finished the game with a career-high three three-pointers made and exceeded her career high with 12 points.

The Wildcats elicited offensive abeyance from Illinois in the first quarter as the Fighting Illini mustered only nine points. It was the fifth time this season that NU has allowed only single digits in scoring in a first quarter this season.

NU extended their advantage over Illinois in the second quarter, thanks to an 11-0 run that pushed the Wildcat lead to 23-11 with 3:11 left in the period. Northwestern finished the first half with a 14-point advantage, 35-21.

Northwestern and Illinois played closer in the third period, but Illinois only outscored the Wildcats by one point, so NU maintained a 13-point advantage heading into the final 10 minutes of play.

The #B1GCats finished strong in the fourth quarter, holding Illinois to a 2:56 scoring drought late in the game to seal the contest.

Chicago's Big Ten Team kicks off the new year with a game at Michigan State on Jan. 3, 2018.

Team Notes

The Wildcats extended their lead of the all-time series against Illinois to 40-34 … NU broke the all-time stalemate between the two squads in Champaign, as the Wildcats now own an 18-17 advantage on Illinois' home turf.
Chicago's Big Ten Team has won four in a row at Illinois, dating back to 2013 … The Wildcats have won five in a row overall in the series and six of the last seven.
Northwestern limited Illinois to only nine points in the first quarter … The Wildcats have allowed single-digit points in the opening period now five times this season (also, UT-Martin, Santa Clara, Auburn, and Eastern Illinois).
Illinois only posted three steals against Northwestern, the lowest team output for an opponent this season … Previous low was five (Chattanooga, Nov. 24).
Four Wildcats (Scheid, Kunaiyi-Akpanah, J. Hamilton, and Pulliam) finished with double-digit scoring.

Individual Notes

Sophomore forward Abi Scheid posted her third-career 20-point game and second this season … Scheid has scored in double figures in 14 of 16 games this season … She came into the game averaging 13.1 points per game, one of two NU players averaging double-digit scoring (also, Lindsey Pulliam).
Junior forward Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah recorded her third consecutive double-double and eighth of the season … She had 10-plus rebounds for the 10th time this season.
- Her 16 rebounds are tied for her second-most in her career, trailing only her career-high 21 rebound output against Oakland (Nov. 16).
First year guard Lindsey Pulliam finished with 10 points, her 13th game scoring double-digit points … She came into the game leading all Big Ten rookies with 15.2 points per game.
First year guard Jordan Hamilton set career highs in points (12), three pointers made (3), and attempted (6).