Northwestern University Athletics
Wednesday, March 27
Morgantown, WV
Northwestern
19-14
56
at
54
West Virginia
22-11
1
2
3
4
F
Northwestern
9
16
16
15
56
West Virginia
21
9
17
7
54
Second Half Surge Sends #B1GCats to WNIT Quarterfinals
3/27/2019 8:56:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MORGANTOWN, WV. – Northwestern continued its postseason run in the WNIT on Wednesday night with a dramatic 56-54 win over West Virginia in an instant classic at the WVU Coliseum.
The Wildcats trailed by as many as 18 points midway through the second quarter, but clawed their way back to take the lead with 42 seconds remaining in the game thanks to a jumper from Lindsey Pulliam. With a two-point advantage on the game's final possession, Veronica Burton came up with a clutch steal and dribbled the clock out to secure the 'Cats a spot in the WNIT quarterfinals.
Burton led the Wildcats with 17 points, four assists and a game-high four steals. She also finished 7-of-8 from the charity stripe, a career high, including going 6-of-6 in the first half to help ignite the 'Cats' comeback.
Pulliam finished with 15 points and tied her season high with eight rebounds. She also led all players with 13 points in the second half and came up big in the fourth quarter, scoring nine of the Wildcats' 15 points, including her go-ahead jumper with 42 seconds remaining. The Silver Spring, Md. native is averaging just over 19 points in the Wildcats' three postseason games thus far.
Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah was a force down low as she tied her season high with 19 rebounds while recording 12 points, three blocks, three assists and three steals. Her 19 boards, 13 of which came in the second half, are tied for the fourth-most in a game by any player in the Big Ten this season. She also secured her 18th double-double of the season, tying a single-season program record which she also set last season.
Rebounding was key for the #B1GCats during their second-half comeback, as they outrebounded the Mountaineers, 25-12 on the glass and finished with 20 second chance points while holding West Virginia to none in the final 20 minutes. As a team, the Wildcats shot 41-percent in the second half while holding West Virginia to 8-of-25 from the field.
This marks the furthest the Wildcats have made it in the postseason during the Joe McKeown era. Northwestern will host the winner of tomorrow night's Ohio/Western Kentucky this Saturday in Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
••••••
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 as many as 18 points midway through the second quarter, but clawed their way back to take the lead with 42 seconds remaining in the game thanks to a jumper from Lindsey Pulliam. With a two-point advantage on the game's final possession, Veronica Burton came up with a clutch steal and dribbled the clock out to secure the 'Cats a spot in the WNIT quarterfinals.
Burton led the Wildcats with 17 points, four assists and a game-high four steals. She also finished 7-of-8 from the charity stripe, a career high, including going 6-of-6 in the first half to help ignite the 'Cats' comeback.
Pulliam finished with 15 points and tied her season high with eight rebounds. She also led all players with 13 points in the second half and came up big in the fourth quarter, scoring nine of the Wildcats' 15 points, including her go-ahead jumper with 42 seconds remaining. The Silver Spring, Md. native is averaging just over 19 points in the Wildcats' three postseason games thus far.
Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah was a force down low as she tied her season high with 19 rebounds while recording 12 points, three blocks, three assists and three steals. Her 19 boards, 13 of which came in the second half, are tied for the fourth-most in a game by any player in the Big Ten this season. She also secured her 18th double-double of the season, tying a single-season program record which she also set last season.
Rebounding was key for the #B1GCats during their second-half comeback, as they outrebounded the Mountaineers, 25-12 on the glass and finished with 20 second chance points while holding West Virginia to none in the final 20 minutes. As a team, the Wildcats shot 41-percent in the second half while holding West Virginia to 8-of-25 from the field.
This marks the furthest the Wildcats have made it in the postseason during the Joe McKeown era. Northwestern will host the winner of tomorrow night's Ohio/Western Kentucky this Saturday in Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
••••••
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
NU
WVU
FG%
.362
.333
3FG%
.286
.364
FT%
.833
.833
RB
42
33
TO
12
15
STL
8
5
Game Leaders
Pts
17
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
7
Pts
15
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
12
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
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