Northwestern
#21 Duke (Welsh-Ryan Arena Opening)
Wildcats Ready for Home Opener Against Duke
11/9/2018 9:01:00 AM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern will face No. 21 Duke on Sunday at 1 p.m. for their first regular season game in the new Welsh-Ryan Arena. The matchup will be broadcasted on Big Ten Network.
The 'Cats are coming into Sunday with one regular season win under their belt after beating Green Bay 57-55 in a nail-biter finish. After falling into an 11-point deficit in the third quarter, the Wildcats gained momentum, scoring 23 points in the final ten minutes to finish with a narrow two point victory.
Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah led the team in points, putting 17 on the board, followed by Lindsey Pulliam and Jordan Hamilton who each put up nine. First-year Veronica Burton started the game and played a total of 28 minutes, scoring eight points and adding four steals.
On defense, Kunaiyi-Akpanah pulled in 14 rebounds and had two blocks. Northwestern forced 21 turnovers and kept the Phoenix scoreless for the first two and a half minutes of the fourth quarter to help grab their final victory.
The 'Cats are looking to continue their intensity heading into this weekend.
Scouting the opponent:
Duke is fielding a young team with only four juniors and seniors. Junior forward Leaonna Odom was one of the Blue Devils' leading scorers last season, averaging 9.6 points per game.
The Blue Devils made it to the third round of the NCAA Division One Championship last season before falling to UConn. Duke is ranked No. 21 in the Preseason Associated Press Poll.
This is the first time Northwestern has faced Duke during Head Coach Joe McKeown's eleven years at Northwestern.
Season and single game tickets are still available. Buy them here!
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