Northwestern
7-2,5-2Big Ten
Penn State
4-6,1-5Big Ten
No. 22 Wildcats Snag Third Straight Win at Penn State
1/17/2021 3:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Wildcats took apart Penn State 67-50 to notch their fifth Big Ten victory and improve to a three game winning streak.
Junior Veronica Burton led the 'Cats with 19 points to go along with five steals. Senior Lindsey Pulliam followed with 17 points, while contributing eight rebounds.
Junior Sydney Wood was once again in double digit points, with 13. Wood is the only player to score in double digits every game this season. Fellow junior Courtney Shaw was quiet at the basket, but pulled down 12 boards for a new career high.
The 'Cats racked up 17 steals, their fifth game this season with 15 plus steals, a milestone they only reached twice last year. Once again defense turned to offense for the Wildcats. They notched 24 points off turnovers and 22 fast break points, doubling Penn State's output in both categories. The Wildcats also took control of the paint grabbing 42 points to 20 from the Lions.
Northwestern got off to a slow start, ending a low-scoring first quarter with a 14-10 lead. Burton and Hamilton were successful from deep, injecting some fire into the Wildcat offense throughout the quarter. Pulliam and Wood were able to find the basket in the second quarter, combining for 15 of Northwestern's 18 points in the second frame.
The Wildcats entered the second half with their largest lead of the game, 32-18. Half of Northwestern's points came off Penn State's 18 turnovers. The 'Cats outperformed the Lions, going 13 of 29 while Penn State only connected on five of their 21 attempts from the field.
Pulliam and Burton opened the third quarter with quick buckets to continue Northwestern's run from the end of the first half to 13-0. Penn State was finally able to break up that run, but Burton responded with two quick steals for five points. Pulliam followed suit, contributing seven points and holding the Northwestern lead 52-37.
All five starters found the basket in the final quarter, easily maintaining their lead. After finding four points in the third, first-year Paige Mott grabbed another basket to post a career high six points to end the game.
Northwestern will return home next week for another two game tournament at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The 'Cats will face the Fighting Illini on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT before going on to host the Hoosiers on Sunday.
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