Northwestern University Athletics
'Cats Clash With #9 Notre Dame on Big Ten Network
11/15/2022 3:48:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. – Northwestern will face their second top-25 challenger of the season on Wednesday as they take on No. 9 Notre Dame at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The action will be televised on Big Ten Network, with tip-off between the two teams set for 8 p.m.
The 'Cats (1-1) head into the matchup fresh off their first win of the year after they defeated Penn 63-55 on Sunday. The victory came on strong showings from grad student Courtney Shaw and sophomore Caileigh Walsh, who both came close to collecting double-doubles. Walsh finished her day with eight rebounds and a team-high 15 points, while Walsh grabbed ten rebounds and nine points.
Walsh's day combined with her 15-point performance in the opener at Oregon to make her the 'Cats' leading scorer through their first two games. She's also pacing the team in field goals (10), rebounds (16) and blocks (3) after playing a team-high 60 minutes between the two games.
For Shaw, Sunday's numbers continue the success she found last season as one of the Big Ten's leading rebounders. Her 10.0 boards per game in 2021-22 ranked third in the conference and helped her to eight double-doubles for the 'Cats - the first eight of her career. She has collected 12 rebounds through two games so far this season.
Northwestern will face a tough assignment in Notre Dame (2-0) as the two teams match up for the first time since 1988. The Fighting Irish rank 21st in the country in scoring offense after shooting nearly 50 percent from the field so far, including 36 percent from behind the arc.
Wednesday's game is the second in a stretch of five straight home games for the Wildcats as they work through a challenging non-conference slate. The 'Cats will be back at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Sunday to take on Southern Illinois, with tip-off scheduled for 2 p.m.
