Wildcats Complete Season Sweep of Illinois With 68-61 Win

2/18/2018 4:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)Highlights Joe McKeown Press Conference

EVANSTON, Ill. — Leading wire-to-wire, Northwestern completed the season sweep against Illinois, 68-61, at historic Beardsley Gym on Sunday afternoon.

Junior forward Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah had 13 points and 16 rebounds in just 29 minutes, her 16th double-double of the season. That mark ties her for third-most in a single-season in Northwestern history, even with Anucha Browne's 1983-84 mark.

Four players scored double figures for the 'Cats, including Bryana Hopkins, who led Northwestern with a career-high 15 points. Abbie Wolf added her own career-high 10 points, while Abi Scheid chipped in 10 points for her 22nd double-figure game of the season.

First-year guard Jordan Hamilton came close to her first career double-double, with eight points and a career-high tying nine assists, while also pulling down four rebounds.

The Northwestern defense dominated the start of the game, holding Illinois without a field goal through the first six-and-a-half minutes, while forcing turnovers on three of the first six possessions.

On the other end, the Wildcats' motion offense gave Northwestern a quick, 11-2 lead. The 'Cats would limit the Illini to just 23.1 percent (3-13) shooting as they led, 14-8, at the end of the period.

Northwestern continued their balanced scoring attack into the second frame, where back-to-back scores from Wolf put the 'Cats up 14 with a minute left. Two quick scores by the Illini cut the lead to 10, as the Wildcats led, 35-25, at the half.

All eight Wildcats scored in the half, led by seven points apiece from Hopkins and Kunaiyi-Akpanah.

Chicago's Big Ten team continued to extend its lead in the second half, as a layup by Hopkins pushed the Northwestern lead back to 14 midway through the third.

Illinois had a strong fourth quarter, but the Wildcats held off the late charge to hang on to the victory. A layup by Byrdy Galernik pushed the lead to six with 42 seconds left to seal the game.

Northwestern travels to No. 16 Ohio State Wednesday for its final road contest of the season. Tip is set for 6 p.m. CT.

Team Notes

All eight Wildcats scored in the game … Northwestern did not trail in the contest.
Northwestern has now won both of its matchups against Illinois this season.

Individual Notes

Junior forward Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah recorded another double-double, her 16th of the season — tied for the third-most in program history with Anucha Browne's 1983-84 campaign.
- She collected 16 rebounds, moving her to second all-time in Northwestern single-season history.
Sophomore forward Abi Scheid scored 10 points, her 22nd game with double digit points this season.
Sophomore forward Abbie Wolf accumulated 10 points in only eight minutes of play.
First year guard Jordan Hamilton tied her career high with nine assists.

Career Highs

Bryana Hopkins: Points (15), FGM (5; tied), FTM (4; tied), FTA (6; tied), Steals (2; tied)
Abbie Wolf: Points (10), FGM (4; tied)
Jordan Hamilton: Assists (9; tied)