Northwestern Set to Host No. 15 Michigan State

Thursday, January 3

Evanston, Ill.

7 p.m.

Northwestern

#15 Michigan State

Northwestern Set to Host No. 15 Michigan State

1/2/2019 10:30:00 AM | Women's Basketball

EVANSTON, IL. -Northwestern (8-5, 1-1 Big Ten) will open 2019 as it hosts No. 15 Michigan State (11-1, 1-0 Big Ten) Thursday evening inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

The Wildcats are coming off a 68-45 for their seventh straight victory over in-state rival Illinois. Leading the way for the 'Cats was junior and captain Abi Scheid who scored a career high 25 points. Securing her first double-double this season, Scheid finished 10-for-15 and pulled down 10 rebounds while sophomore Lindsey Pulliam continued her double-digit scoring streak at 12 consecutive games, finishing the contest with 17 points.

Senior Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah stays ranked in the conference in rebounding. She sits second in the Big Ten in offensive rebounds and seventh in the country with 61 on the season.

The Spartans hold a 43-25 advantage all time in the series, but over the last five years, the Wildcats are 3-2 with their last win in Welsh-Ryan Arena 76-65 in 2017.

Scouting the Opponent:

The No. 15 Spartans enter Thursday's conference after a 84-70 victory versus Iowa in East Lansing.
Michigan State is first in the Big Ten in scoring offense and second in field goal percentage at 48.3.
Senior Center, Jenna Allen is averaging 16.5 ppg. and Junior Guard Taryn McCutcheon ranks second in the Big Ten in 3-point field goals made.
Suzy Merchant is in her 12^thseason as Head Coach of the Spartans with a conference record of 118-68.
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