Northwestern Beats Illinois on Senior Day

2/19/2017 4:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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By: Carsten Parmenter

EVANSTON, Ill. — Nia Coffey had game highs of 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Christen Inman added 16 points, and Ashley Deary had 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists as the Wildcats beat Illinois, 66-53, Sunday afternoon.

The victory moves Northwestern to 18-9 (7-7 B1G), while Illinois falls to 8-19 (3-11 B1G).

The Wildcats celebrated Senior Day at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday, honoring one of the most successful classes in program history before the game. Coffey, Deary, Inman, Allie Tuttle and Lauren Douglas were part of the class that helped Northwestern to its first NCAA tournament appearance in 18 years in 2015. Deary set another record herself by stepping on the court, setting the Northwestern record for career appearances by playing in and starting her 127th career game.

Deary started the rivalry game off with a quick three, before Douglas added another triple to take a quick 6-2 lead. Northwestern led for the entirety of the game.

But it was defense that dominated the first quarter, as Northwestern held Illinois to just four points in the first 5:30. Coffey dominated the end of the quarter, putting up five points and three rebounds in the final 3:30 as the Wildcats closed out the first, 17-13.

Coffey entered the game second in the Big Ten with 10.8 rebounds per game and flexed that skill in the opening stages, with eight in the first quarter and ten in the first fourteen minutes, part of the Wildcats' interior dominance. Northwestern combated Illinois' 2-3 zone by finding Coffey in the paint, where she opened the second quarter by draining a pair of free throws. The Wildcats continued going to the well and finding success through the lane, with Abi Scheid and Pallas Kunayi-Akpanah each getting to the rim and adding free throws as the Wildcats used an 8-0 run to take a 32-20 lead with two minutes left in the quarter, on their way to a commanding 36-23 lead at the half.

The Wildcats dominated the boards in the first half, out-rebounding the Illini, 24-16, and scoring 10 second-chance points. While Coffey led the game with 11 boards at the half, Deary, Scheid, Kunaiyi-Akpanah and Jamison each grabbed three rebounds in the half.

Both defenses clamped back down to start the second half, with Illinois scoring just two points in the opening five minutes. Coffey spun for a layup in the paint, making it a 38-25 game and reaching double-digit points in the process. This marked her 14th double-double of the season and the 54th of her career. The Wildcats offense continued to purr, as Inman dropped in four straight points to go ahead, 44-28, before Illinois put on a mini-run to close the quarter, 47-39.

Northwestern regained its shutdown defense to close the game, allowing just two points in four minutes. Inman pulled a defensive rebound and drained a three to go ahead 56-43 with five minutes remaining. After breaking Anucha Browne's record of 470 career made free throws in the last game at Iowa, Coffey continued to thrive at the line, going 10-10, including two more to stretch the lead to 58-45. While Illinois began to foul to extend the game, Northwestern's lead never looked in doubt, as they defeated their in-state rivals, 66-53.

Northwestern will play its final home game of the season on Thursday, Feb. 23, when Rutgers comes to Welsh-Ryan Arena for a 6 p.m. CT showdown.

NOTES

Team
• Northwestern has won five of the last six against Illinois.
• The Wildcats trotted out an all senior lineup on Senior Day.
• NU is now 18-9 overall and 7-7 in the Big Ten.
• The 'Cats are 14-2 at home in 2016-17.
• Northwestern is 9-0 when it allows fewer than 60 points in a game.

Individual
• Nia Coffey secured her 14th double-double of the year with 18 points and 14 rebounds. It was the 54th of her career.
• Coffey scored in double figures for the 22nd time this season and the 101st time in her career.
• Coffey grabbed double-digit rebounds for the 15th time this year and the 52nd time in her career. She has done so in four of the last six games.

• Ashley Deary broke the Northwestern career record for games played with number 127 on Sunday. Deary has played and started every game in her career. She surpassed Kendall Hackney (2009-13), who held the previous mark with 126.
• Deary scored in double figures (14) for the 19th time in 2016-17 and the 57th time in her career.
• Deary tied a season high with eight rebounds. She last did so against UT-Martin on Dec. 22.

• Christen Inman scored double-digit points (16) for the 14th time this season and the 74th time in her career.