Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
11-3,9-3Big Ten
Michigan State
10-5,5-5Big Ten
'Cats Earn Gritty Road Victory over Spartans
2/7/2021 4:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Wildcats narrowly clinched a win against the Michigan State Spartans, 63-60, on Sunday at the Breslin Center. The win marks the third-straight for the Wildcats, who improve to 8-3 in conference play.
Senior Lindsey Pulliam led the court with 22 points, shooting 41% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. Junior Veronica Burton was close behind with 19 points, matching a career high of 14 free throws made.
The 'Cats found early success from beyond the arc with Pulliam going two for two from deep and Burton adding her own three into the mix. Northwestern cruised to a 19-7 lead as the Michigan State offense stalled in the first.
Pulliam started the second with two quick baskets, putting her into double digits early. The two teams traded buckets for most of the frame, but Northwestern found a 9-0 run late in the second to take a huge lead going into the second half 37-18.
Michigan State got off to a quick start in the third with a 14-3 run, coming within eight, but the 'Cats were able to maintain their lead at the charity stripe. Pulliam drained another three late in the frame, which put her up to twenty points on the night.
The Spartans continued to chip away at the Wildcat lead in the fourth. Michigan State was able to tie it up with four minutes left and take the lead in the next minute. Burton and Pulliam pumped some life in the Northwestern offense and were able to regain a slim lead. With seven seconds left, Michigan State tried to tie it up but the Wildcat defense held tough.
Northwestern hopes to extend the winning streak to four as they return home on Thursday to face Rutgers. The tip is set for 3 p.m. CT, with coverage live on BTN.
