Northwestern University Athletics
Thursday, January 31
Evanston, Ill.
7 p.m.
Northwestern
54
vs
61
Minnesota
1
2
3
4
F
Minnesota
19
11
18
13
61
Northwestern
10
18
9
17
54
Wildcats Fall To Minnesota, 61-54
1/31/2019 9:23:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern pulled within three of Minnesota with 29 seconds left to play, but the come-back effort was not enough to top the Golden Gophers in Welsh-Ryan Arena, dropping the contest, 61-54.
The Wildcats trailed by 11 after three quarters but clawed back in the final period. Northwestern once again relied on its defensive dominance, holding the Golden Gophers to just 30.8 percent shooting for the quarter. After a 6-0 run, Northwestern cut the deficit to three but Minnesota hit four straight free throws to close in on the Wildcats.
The 'Cats controlled the boards, 38-29, led by senior Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah who grabbed 11 rebounds. She added 14 points to earn her sixth straight double-double and 13th of the season. Kunaiyi-Akpanah also limited the Big Ten's leading offensive rebounder, Taiye Bello, to just one in the contest.
Sophomore Lindsey Pulliam added 10 points for Northwestern, extending her career-best double-digit scoring streak to 20 games. She also tallied three rebounds and two assists.
First year Veronica Burton joined the duo with 13 points and knocked down a perfect four-for-four from the free throw line, giving Northwestern its 15th game of the season with at least three double-digit scorers. She scored 10 of her 13 points in the second half as the 'Cats mounted a comeback. She provided a key burst of momentum for the Wildcats at the end of the third when she launched a one-handed shot from half court that banked in at the buzzer.
First-year Sydney Wood also grabbed a career-high five rebounds in the contest.
This is Northwestern's first loss since Jan. 13 and now have a record of 13-8 on the season and 6-4 in conference play.
Chicago's Big Ten Team returns to the court on Sunday, Feb. 3 to host Ohio State at 3:30 p.m. at Welsh-Ryan Arena for the annual Play4Kay Pink Game and Alumni Day.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
The Wildcats trailed by 11 after three quarters but clawed back in the final period. Northwestern once again relied on its defensive dominance, holding the Golden Gophers to just 30.8 percent shooting for the quarter. After a 6-0 run, Northwestern cut the deficit to three but Minnesota hit four straight free throws to close in on the Wildcats.
The 'Cats controlled the boards, 38-29, led by senior Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah who grabbed 11 rebounds. She added 14 points to earn her sixth straight double-double and 13th of the season. Kunaiyi-Akpanah also limited the Big Ten's leading offensive rebounder, Taiye Bello, to just one in the contest.
Sophomore Lindsey Pulliam added 10 points for Northwestern, extending her career-best double-digit scoring streak to 20 games. She also tallied three rebounds and two assists.
First year Veronica Burton joined the duo with 13 points and knocked down a perfect four-for-four from the free throw line, giving Northwestern its 15th game of the season with at least three double-digit scorers. She scored 10 of her 13 points in the second half as the 'Cats mounted a comeback. She provided a key burst of momentum for the Wildcats at the end of the third when she launched a one-handed shot from half court that banked in at the buzzer.
BURTON AT THE BUZZER!!
— Northwestern On BTN (@NUOnBTN) February 1, 2019
A RIDICULOUS half-court one handed shot for the @nuwbball Freshman!!#BTNStandout x @AutoOwnersIns pic.twitter.com/8sjgmUdy1N
First-year Sydney Wood also grabbed a career-high five rebounds in the contest.
This is Northwestern's first loss since Jan. 13 and now have a record of 13-8 on the season and 6-4 in conference play.
Chicago's Big Ten Team returns to the court on Sunday, Feb. 3 to host Ohio State at 3:30 p.m. at Welsh-Ryan Arena for the annual Play4Kay Pink Game and Alumni Day.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!
Team Stats
MINN
NU
FG%
.442
.377
3FG%
.429
.143
FT%
.600
.765
RB
29
38
TO
14
19
STL
10
7
Game Leaders
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
4
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
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