Northwestern
2-2,0-0Big Ten
Southern Illinois
0-3,0-0MVC
'Cats Defeat Southern Illinois 84-69
11/19/2022 4:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Caileigh Walsh scored a career-high 24 points to help lead Northwestern over the Southern Illinois Salukis 84-69 on Saturday at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Walsh not only set a new career mark in points, but also added four assists for a career high in that category, too. Courtney Shaw helped out with a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds, while Sydney Wood chipped in with 13 points and three steals.
Northwestern continued to share the ball well, racking up 23 assists on 31 made field goals. Walsh's four assists led the Wildcats and Caroline Lau also helped out with four assists of her own, giving her a team-high 11 on the season so far.
On the defensive end, Northwestern was effective at taking away the basketball, forcing 21 Southern Illinois turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 26 points on the other end of the floor. Wood's three steals led the way individually for the Wildcats.
How It Happened
Northwestern opened the game on a 9-0 run, taking an early lead with 8:08 left in the first quarter. The Wildcats kept adding on throughout the first and entered the quarter break with a 25-13 advantage. The 'Cats did most of their first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 14 of 25 points close to the basket.
The Wildcats kept building their lead through the first part of the second quarter and were already up 30-17 before going on a 7-0 run starting at the 8:08 mark in the second period. The Salukis cut into that lead a little towards the break, but the Wildcats still enjoyed a 52-34 advantage heading into halftime. Northwestern forced six Southern Illinois turnovers in the period and turned them into nine points.
In the third quarter, the Wildcats used a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Wood, to expand their lead to 65-46 with 2:10 to go. They held onto that lead for the rest of the frame and entered the fourth quarter with a 70-51 edge.
The 'Cats held on for the victory in the fourth quarter with contributions from first-year Alana Goodchild, who scored five of their 14 points in the period. Northwestern knotted up a 84-69 victory without ever trailing in the game.
Game Notes
» Courtney Shaw notched a double-double - her first of the season for the Wildcats - with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
» The Wildcats shot well from three point range, knocking down six of 14 long range attempts.
» The Wildcats held the Salukis to only 34.8 percent shooting from the field.
» The Wildcats shared the ball well, recording an assist on 74 percent of made field goals.
» The Northwestern defense forced 21 turnovers.
» The Wildcats were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
» Caileigh Walsh led the Wildcats with a game-high 24 points.
» Northwestern got a game-high 12 rebounds from Courtney Shaw.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
