Jordan Hamilton’s Torrid Night Leads NU to Win Over Wisconsin

1/11/2018 9:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Season Stats Joe McKeown Post-Game Jordan Hamilton Post-Game Highlights

By Zach Wingrove
NUsports.com Correspondent

EVANSTON, Ill. — First-year guard Jordan Hamilton finished with a career-high 22 points on a near-perfect shooting performance to help propel Northwestern to a 69-60 victory over Wisconsin at historic Beardsley Gym on Thursday night.

With the game in the balance late in the fourth quarter, Northwestern mounted a 12-0 run in the game's final minutes to seal the game. The Wildcats dominated the glass throughout the game as they out-rebounded the Badgers by a 36-23 margin, which resulted in 15 second chance points for the #B1GCats. The strong performance on the boards proved valuable in the fourth quarter, as Wisconsin did not record a single rebound in the fourth quarter.

Junior forward Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah posted her 10th double-double of the season, finishing with 11 points and 18 rebounds. She helped fuel the Wildcats' comeback efforts in the second half, recording nine points and 13 rebounds in the game's final 20 minutes. She has recorded double-digit rebounds in six of her last seven games. Her 18 rebounds are her second-most all season, trailing only her career-high 21 against Oakland.

Sophomore forward Abi Scheid posted 13 points to go along with a career high three blocks and seven assists, tying her previous career high that she set this season against Oakland. This was Scheid's 15th game this season finishing in double figures, the most of any Northwestern player.

Kunaiyi-Akpanah started the scoring off for both teams on the opening possession to give the Wildcats an early lead. Then, with 5:39 to go in the first quarter, Jordan Hamilton knocked down a triple to give the 'Cats a 6-5 lead.

Late in the first quarter, the Wildcats got a spark from their bench cohort as Byrdy Galernik knocked down a long two-point jumper. Moments later, Abbie Wolf converted on a layup to extend the Wildcats' lead to 10-5.

Northwestern led 12-11 after one quarter thanks to a balanced all-around effort as six players got on the board scoring for the Wildcats. Wisconsin's offense made an effort to push the tempo in the first quarter, but their efforts proved to be nugatory against the #B1GCats as Northwestern's defense held them to just 30.8-percent (4-of-13) shooting in the quarter.

Wisconsin opened the second quarter with some hot shooting to take back the lead, however the 'Cats were able to placate the run thanks to a four-point play from Jordan Hamilton to narrow the deficit to 25-21. The three-pointer marked Hamilton's third of the game thus far, the most she has made in a single half this season.

The Wildcats' offense came alive to start the second half as a 6-0 run evened the score 35-35. Later in the half, back-to-back buckets from Pulliam gave the #B1GCats a 46-41 lead with 1:39 remaining in the game.

NU headed into the fourth quarter with a 46-44 lead after outscoring the Badgers, 21-14, in the third quarter. The 'Cats converted on a blistering 9-of-17 shots from the field in the quarter. Kunaiyi-Akpanah was the leading scorer for the Wildcats in the quarter, finishing with six points on 3-of-3 shooting.

With the game knotted, 49-49, midway through the fourth quarter, Hamilton delivered a perfect pass to Scheid in the corner, who converted on her first triple of the night to give the Wildcats a 52-49 lead. Minutes later, Hamilton found Scheid again for an easy bucket in the post to put Northwestern up 54-53 with 4:34 remaining

The Wildcats trailed 56-54 before going on a 12-0 run to pull ahead 66-56 with 0:23 remaining in the game. Jordan Hamilton and Bry Hopkins each scored four points during the run, while Kunaiyi-Akpanah finished with three points and five rebounds in the game's final four minutes to help put the game on ice for Northwestern.

Chicago's Big Ten will be back in action next week on Thursday, January 18, when they travel to West Lafayette, Indiana, to take on the Purdue Boilermakers. Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT.

Team Notes

Northwestern improved its all-time mark against the Badgers to 38-31 … The Wildcats won their eighth in a row over Wisconsin.
Head Coach Joe McKeown improved to 10-4 over Wisconsin in his 10 years at Northwestern … NU is now 20-12 over the Badgers in Evanston.
Northwestern outrebounded Wisconsin, 36-23 … For the first time all season, an opponent did not record a block against the Wildcats.

Individual Notes

First year guard Jordan Hamilton scored 22 points in the game … After making only four three-pointers in her first eight games, she has made eleven in her last seven contests … She tied her career high with three three-pointers.
- She scored in double-digits for the fifth time this season and the fourth time in her last six games.
- It is the eighth time this season that a Wildcat has a 20-plus point scoring game … Lindsey Pulliam leads the way with three.
Junior forward Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah posted her 10th double-double of the season, finishing with 11 points and 18 rebounds.
- She has recorded double-digit rebounds in six of her last seven games … Her 18 rebounds are her second-most all season (trailing only her career-high 21 against Oakland).
Sophomore forward Abi Scheid finished with 13 points … Her team-high 15th game with double-digit points.

Career Highs

Jordan Hamilton: Points (22), 3PTM (3; tied), FGM (6), FTM (7), minutes (38; tied), FTA (8)
Abbie Wolf: Steals (2)
Lindsey Pulliam: 3PTM (1; tied)
Abi Scheid: Blocked Shots (3), Assists (7; tied), minutes (39; tied)

Season Highs