Northwestern
11-5,9-5Big Ten
Nebraska
10-9,8-8Big Ten
Wildcats Fall to Huskers, 74-61
2/17/2021 8:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. – The Wildcats battled hard but ultimately fell to the Huskers at home on Wednesday, 71-64.
Senior Jordan Hamilton brought the energy for the 'Cats and logged her first career double double with ten points and a career-high ten rebounds; while tying her previous career high of five steals. Junior Veronica Burton also impressed, adding her own ten points all in the fourth quarter and a career high eight steals. Fellow junior Sydney Wood followed suit and posted six steals, also a career high. In total, the Wildcats racked up a season-high 21 steals. Senior Lindsey Pulliam led the 'Cats in points with 22 for her fourth 20+ point game of the season.
Northwestern had hot hands from the jump, grabbing three steals in the first two minutes. Hamilton turned her first steal into a three to give the 'Cats an edge. The Wildcats built a lead early and maintained it with some help from Pulliam and Wood who added six points apiece.
The 'Cats went into the second quarter with a ten-point lead. Nebraska tried to chip away at the lead late in the frame but were unable to make any headway against a staunch defensive effort and some offensive heat from Hamilton. Pulliam ended the quarter with a jumper for double digit points and kept the 'Cats on top, 33-24.
In just the first half, the Wildcats snatched 12 steals, with Hamilton and Burton contributing four apiece. Nebraska had 16 turnovers, while Northwestern had just one turnover and posted 16 points off of turnovers
Northwestern had a slow start to the second half and the Cornhuskers brought it within two. Pulliam pulled up for two quick jumpers to keep the 'Cats on top, but Nebraska battled back to tie it up. Wood and Hamilton fought through heavy traffic to regain a slim lead 44-40.
The Cornhuskers took the lead early in the fourth with a strong performance from deep. Northwestern couldn't get their shots to fall and soon found themselves in a nine point deficit. Burton and Pulliam put up 10 and eight points respectively to bring it within four with thirty seconds left, but the 'Cats were unable to bring it home.
The Wildcats will remain at home and return to the court on Saturday to face Wisconsin. The tip is set for 2 p.m.
