Northwestern
1-0,0-0Big Ten
Eastern Illinois
2-3,0-0OVC
The 'Cats Lock In for 93-Point Outburst in Season Opening Win
12/10/2020 8:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern kicked off their long-awaited season with an emphatic 93-57 victory over Eastern-Illinois.
This is their first game scoring 90+ points in a win since 2018 against Chicago State.
Northwestern outpaced Eastern Illinois easily, going 53.1% from the field while holding the Panthers to just 39.2%. They also posted 20 fast break points compared to just five from Eastern Illinois. Their offense excelled from every angle, as the 'Cats were able to control the glass grabbing 35 rebounds and 22 second chance points.
The offensive charge was led by junior Veronica Burton and her 21 points and six assists. All five starters saw double digit points: Juniors Sydney Wood (14) and Courtney Shaw (13), and Seniors Lindsey Pulliam (18) and Jordan Hamilton (11). Every starter also posted a steal, with Burton and Wood posting five steals apiece. This marks a new career high for Wood, surpassing her previous high of four. Wood also tied with Shaw to lead the floor with seven boards apiece.
Shaw opened up scoring with a layup on her first-career start for the Wildcats. The rock went back and forth between the teams before Northwestern was able to build a lead off some success beyond the arc. First-year Paige Mott saw time on the court in the first quarter, bringing an immediate impact off the bench posting a steal in just three minutes of play. The Wildcats ended the quarter on an 8-0 run fueled by two successful three-point plays from Burton and Pulliam off fast breaks.
With a 27-16 lead, the 'Cats started strong in the second quarter with a steal from Wood, converted into three points by Hamilton. They transformed their momentum into a 14-0 run, highlighted by four straight field goals from Shaw. By the end of the half she easily eclipsed her previous career high of 11 points.
Northwestern ended the half with a very comfortable lead of 53-22; Pulliam, Shaw and Burton already in the double digits. The third quarter started off slow with both teams unable to find the basket easily. But Northwestern picked up the pace to end the quarter on a 7-0 run, highlighted by Mott scoring her first points as a Wildcat.
Fellow first-years Jasmine McWilliams and Anna Morris joined Mott on the court in the fourth quarter. McWilliams was also able to find the basket and notch her first points as a Wildcat. Alongside the first-years, sophomore Kaylah Rainey had some meaningful minutes in the final quarter. She posted a career high four points to seal the victory for the 'Cats.
The Wildcats will be back on the court on Monday to kick-off Big Ten Play against Minnesota. The tip is set for 8 p.m. at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
••••••
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!
