Northwestern
13-5,11-5Big Ten
Illinois
3-16,1-15Big Ten
Northwestern Completes Season Sweep Over Illinois
2/24/2021 5:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Northwestern completed a successful season sweep over the Illini in a 67-61 road victory.
Junior Veronica Burton led the court with 20 points, propelled by a 12-of-12 performance at the charity stripe. Senior Lindsey Pulliam followed right behind with 19 and contributed a team-high eight rebounds. Fellow senior Lauryn Satterwhite was a spark off the bench for the 'Cats, posting a career high nine points.
The Wildcats posted an impressive 33 points off 29 turnovers, 14 of which were Northwestern picks. Every 'Cat who touched the court grabbed a steal, junior Sydney Wood and Burton leading with three apiece.
Northwestern struggled offensively for most of the first quarter, Burton got the 'Cats on the board with a couple of trips to the line, but Illinois rattled off an 11-0 run fueled by success from beyond the arc to put the Wildcats at a disadvantage. Northwestern started to heat up from the field in the final minutes, a momentum they carried into the second frame.
Satterwhite opened the second quarter with a second-chance three to bring the 'Cats within seven. First-year Paige Mott lit up the paint to open up a 12-0 run for Northwestern, capped off by another Satterwhite three to take the lead. The Wildcats outscored the Fighting Illini 22-3 in the second quarter, erasing a 14-point Illinois lead and building a nine point advantage going into halftime.
Burton hit double digits in the second frame, leading the court. Mott followed behind with seven while Pulliam found six points and six rebounds. Northwestern dominated the paint, racking up 16 points to just four from Illinois.
The Wildcats came out of the locker room firing, rattling off an 8-2 run and forcing an Illini timeout. Illinois tried to chip away at the Northwestern lead, but the 'Cats maintained their advantage with a pair of threes from Pulliam and Satterwhite.
Illinois got to the basket first and began to chip away at Northwestern's lead, but Pulliam hit some mid-range jumpers to keep them at bay. The teams traded baskets and Illinois made a strong effort at the buzzer, but this one went to the Wildcats.
Northwestern will return home for its final game of the season at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday. The 'Cats will face the Terrapins for the first time; the tip is set for 3 p.m. on ESPN2. The Senior Day ceremony will take place before the game at 2:40, fans have the opportunity to follow along via a live stream of the festivities.
