Wednesday, November 10
Evanston, Ill.
7 p.m. CT
Northwestern
1-0,0-0Big Ten
72
vs
49
UIC
0-1,0-0Horizon
1
2
3
4
F
UIC
8
8
16
17
49
Northwestern
14
18
19
21
72
Photo by: S. J. Carrera, Inc.
Wildcats Smother Flames in Season Opener
11/10/2021 9:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern stifled UIC in the season opener on Wednesday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena in a 72-49 win.
The Wildcats won their 14th straight season opener under head coach Joe McKeown behind a strong defensive effort. The 'Cats limited the visitors to 29% shooting from the field and from behind the arc, and forced 22 turnovers.
The Wildcat offense was led by superstar Veronica Burton, who turned in a controlled performance with 22 points on 8-13 shooting along with six assists. She added five rebounds, two blocks and two steals, and turned in her first showstopping highlight of the season with a buzzer beater form her own side of the court before halftime.
Senior forward Courtney Shaw registered the third double-double of her career with 11 points and 12 rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass. Senior guard Sydney Wood stuffed the stat sheet as usual with nine rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Four first-years made their Wildcat debuts and all scored their first career points, with Caileigh Walsh and Jillian Brown getting the start. Walsh made an impact defensively with four blocks. Melannie Daley provided an instant spark off the bench and scored eight points while Mercy Ademusayo added two points and a block.
The Wildcats saw a strong 29 points from their bench and also had a particularly strong day at the charity stripe, converting 15 of 18 free throws. The 'Cats went wire-to-wire in the win, and held the Flames to just 16 first-half points.
Northwestern returns home to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday to take on UC Santa Barbara. Tipoff against the Gauchos is set for 1 p.m. CT and will be streamed on B1G+.
The Wildcats won their 14th straight season opener under head coach Joe McKeown behind a strong defensive effort. The 'Cats limited the visitors to 29% shooting from the field and from behind the arc, and forced 22 turnovers.
The Wildcat offense was led by superstar Veronica Burton, who turned in a controlled performance with 22 points on 8-13 shooting along with six assists. She added five rebounds, two blocks and two steals, and turned in her first showstopping highlight of the season with a buzzer beater form her own side of the court before halftime.
You wanted a show??
— Northwestern Women's Basketball (@nuwbball) November 11, 2021
VERONICA BURTON HALFCOURT BUZZER BEATER.
BOOM.#GoCats | @veronicaab22 pic.twitter.com/OgtpTwFrEL
Senior forward Courtney Shaw registered the third double-double of her career with 11 points and 12 rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass. Senior guard Sydney Wood stuffed the stat sheet as usual with nine rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Four first-years made their Wildcat debuts and all scored their first career points, with Caileigh Walsh and Jillian Brown getting the start. Walsh made an impact defensively with four blocks. Melannie Daley provided an instant spark off the bench and scored eight points while Mercy Ademusayo added two points and a block.
The Wildcats saw a strong 29 points from their bench and also had a particularly strong day at the charity stripe, converting 15 of 18 free throws. The 'Cats went wire-to-wire in the win, and held the Flames to just 16 first-half points.
Northwestern returns home to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday to take on UC Santa Barbara. Tipoff against the Gauchos is set for 1 p.m. CT and will be streamed on B1G+.
Team Stats
UIC
NU
FG%
.291
.426
3FG%
.294
.294
FT%
.571
.833
RB
40
41
TO
22
14
STL
4
10
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
22
FGM
8
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's BasketballJoe McKeown Joins B1G Today (7/14/25)
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