Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
3-2,0-0Big Ten
Niagara
1-3,0-0MAAC
Lockdown Defense Lifts Northwestern Over Niagara
11/22/2022 9:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern held Niagara to just 13 made field goals to cruise to a 76-38 win over the Purple Eagles at home Tuesday.
The Wildcats (3-2) had three players score in double figures, led by Sydney Wood, who had 19 points, seven rebounds, five steals and two blocks. Courtney Shaw tacked on a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds and Jillian Brown chipped in as well with 11 points.
Northwestern took advantage of fantastic ball movement in Tuesday's game, piling up 22 assists on 29 made field goals. Kaylah Rainey's nine assists paced the Wildcats and Caroline Lau also added four assists of her own.
The Northwestern defense caused its share of mistakes in Tuesday's game, forcing 20 Niagara turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 23 points on the other end of the floor. Wood's five steals led the way individually for the Wildcats.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 5-4 advantage, Northwestern went on a 9-0 run with 6:41 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from Brown, to increase its lead to 14-4. The Wildcats then added three points to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 20-7 advantage. Northwestern did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 12 of its 20 points close to the basket.
Northwestern kept its first quarter lead intact before going on another 9-0 run starting at the 3:11 mark in the second period to increase its lead to 38-16. That score that would hold until halftime.
Following intermission, the 'Cats continued to expand their advantage, pushing it to 57-28 before going on an 8-0 run to expand its lead further to 65-28 with 10 seconds to go in the third. Northwestern again played well near the basket, scoring 14 of their 27 points in the paint.
Northwestern continued to grow their lead in the fourth, eventually pushing the lead to 76-38, where it would stay through the conclusion.
Game Notes
» Courtney Shaw notched her second straight double-double for the Wildcats with 17 points and 11 rebounds.
» The Wildcats held the Purple Eagles to only 20.6 percent shooting from the field.
» The Wildcats never trailed after taking a 20-7 first quarter lead.
» The Wildcats put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 76 percent of made baskets.
» Northwestern had a stellar day defensively, holding Niagara to 14 percent from three point land on 14 attempts.
» Northwestern had a 60-27 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Northwestern defense forced 20 turnovers.
» The Wildcats were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording 10 blocks as a team.
» Northwestern cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 17 offensive boards in the game.
» Sydney Wood led the Wildcats with 19 points, which tied her career high.
» Kaylah Rainey reached a career-high in assists with nine.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
