Coffey Scores Season High 33, ‘Cats Drop Close Game at Minnesota

2/13/2017 8:23:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Nia Coffey poured in a season-high 33 points in her return to her home state of Minnesota and recorded her 13th double-double of the year with 10 rebounds, but Northwestern fell in a close game, 71-61.

Coffey hit 10-of-26 shots from the field and all 12 of her free throws to lead all players in scoring.

It was the second time this year that the senior has cleared 30 points in a game and the 11th that she scored more than 20.

Minnesota was able to pull away at home with free throws down the stretch after the score was 64-59 with one minute to go.

Northwestern (17-8, 6-6) shot better (36 percent to 34 percent) than the Gophers from the field, but Minnesota made 24 free throws to the Wildcats' 13 and hit seven shots from beyond the arc compared to Northwestern's two.

Chicago's Big Ten Team held the advantage in the post, scoring 32 points in the paint, but Minnesota had the rebounding edge, which led to 16 second chance points.

Ashley Deary scored 11 points, her 17th time in double figures this season. She dished out five assists and had five steals, all while playing nearly all 40 minutes. Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah played 15 second-half minutes and grabbed eight rebounds and scored four points.

Minnesota took a 34-22 lead into the locker room at halftime thanks to 16 first-half points from Carlie Wagner, who was 6-of-13 from the field in the first half and hit three three-pointers to hold the Wildcats at bay. She finished with 25.

Coffey was everywhere in the first half, posting 12 points, five rebounds, an assist and a block in the first 20 minutes.

Northwestern came out of the locker room on fire, immediately going on a 13-1 run to tie the game up at 35. The Wildcats outscored the Gophers, 26-12, in the third quarter and took a 48-46 lead into the fourth. Minnesota was able to regain the lead in the final frame and pull away down the stretch with free throws.

The Wildcats conclude their six-day, three-game road trip at Iowa on Thursday. The game between the 'Cats and Hawkeyes will be televised live on Big Ten Network at 7 p.m.

Notes
• Nia Coffey scored a season-high 33 points, just two shy of her career high of 35.
• Coffey scored more than 30 points for the second time this season and the fourth time in her career.
• Coffey recorded her 11th 20-point game of the season and the 43rd of her career. It was also her 20th time this year and the 99th time in her career scoring in double figures.
• Coffey grabbed 10 rebounds, making it 14 times this year that she has reached that mark and the 51st time in her career.
• With 33 points and 10 rebounds, Coffey registered her Big Ten leading 13th double-double of the year and the 53rd of her career.
• After going 12-for-12 from the free throw line, Coffey is just two made free throws away from tying the all-time Northwestern record of 469, set by Anucha Browne from 1982-85.

• Lauren Douglas recorded a career high five steals.

• Christen Inman tied a season high with seven rebounds.

• Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah grabbed a season high eight rebounds.