No. 15 Northwestern Stays Undefeated with Win Over Eastern Kentucky

EVANSTON, Ill. – No. 15 Northwestern defeated Eastern Kentucky, 79-50, on Tuesday afternoon in the first-ever meeting of the two programs. The win extended the Wildcats' undefeated start to the 2020-21 season, now sitting at 4-0 overall on the season.

Northwestern secured the opening tip and immediately converted it into points with a two-point jumper from Lindsey Pulliam. Leading 2-0 six second into the game, the 'Cats never relinquished that position. The Colonels kept it close through much of the first quarter, trailing just 18-14 with 2:31 left in the period, but Northwestern quickly pulled away with a 15-0 run over the end of the first and start of the second quarter to go up 33-14.

Another 12-0 run to end the first half saw Northwestern take a 47-20 lead into the break. Those 20 Eastern Kentucky points were the fewest Northwestern has given up in the first half since allowing just 19 against Penn State last January. The smothering blizzard defense allowed the Colonels to connect on just five field goals in the first half.

The 'Cats' ability to deny Eastern Kentucky opportunities with the ball was the main storyline Tuesday. Northwestern forced 33 turnovers, 20 in the first half alone, and converted those into 40 points while turning the ball over just 12 times itself. Four different 'Cats recorded three or more steals and Pulliam's four set a new career high.The Wildcats also found a way to extend their offensive possessions, securing a dominant 26 offensive rebounds to eight for EKU and turning those into 16 second chance points.

Veronica Burton again led the team in scoring with 17 points as she has recorded the team high in points in each of Northwestern's games this season. In other scoring consistencies, Burton, Pulliam and Sydney Wood all scored in double digits, a feat they have accomplished in each of the team's first four games, while 11 different Wildcats scored against the Colonels, the most for Northwestern in 2020-21.

Northwestern is back in action on New Year's Eve against Nebraska with tip-off slated for 1 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.

No. 15 Northwestern Stays Undefeated with Win Over Eastern Kentucky

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Team Stats

Veronica Burton

Lindsey Pulliam

Sydney Wood

Courtney Shaw

Players Mentioned

Veronica Burton

Lindsey Pulliam

Sydney Wood

Players Mentioned

Veronica Burton

Lindsey Pulliam

Sydney Wood

Northwestern University Athletics