Northwestern
Ohio State
Wildcats Prepare to Battle No. 2 Buckeyes on Big Ten Network
1/18/2023 3:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball
| NORTHWESTERN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: GAME INFORMATION | |||||
| DATE | Opponent | TIME | LOCATION | Watch | Live Stats |
| Thursday, January 19 | #2 Ohio State | 5:30 p.m. CT | Value City Arena Columbus, Ohio |
Big Ten Network | Live Stats |
| Social: Twitter: @NUWbball | Instagram: @nuwbball | |||||
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The 'Cats will face off with No. 2 Ohio State for the second time this season on Thursday when they visit the Buckeyes at Value City Arena. Tip-off between the two teams is set for 5:30 p.m. CT and the action will be televised on Big Ten Network.
Northwestern (6-11, 0-7) last saw Ohio State (18-0, 7-0) on December 28, when the then-No. 3 Buckeyes took a 73-57 victory at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Ohio State's record has remained unblemished since then, and they will enter Thursday's matchup as one of three undefeated teams in the NCAA. Including their previous meeting with the Buckeyes, the 'Cats are set to play their fourth game of the season against an AP top-ten ranked team and their seventh against an AP top-25 team.
Kaylah Rainey heads into Thursday's game fresh off a career-high 14-point game against Purdue. It was the third time this season the senior has set a career high for points and the first time in her career that she led Northwestern scorers in a game. Rainey also collected five assists and five steals in the contest.
Behind Rainey, Sydney Wood added ten points and nine rebounds to fall just shy of her second double-double of the season. Wood's two steals against Purdue brought her season total to 43 and kept her at second in the Big Ten in that category. The grad student's 2.53 steals-per-game average puts her on pace to record 75 steals this season, which would be a career high.
As a group, the 'Cats remain the best blocking team in the Big Ten. They've combined for 4.9 blocks per game this year, which ranks 24th in the nation. Caileigh Walsh has paced the team with 22 blocked shots, while Wood is close behind, with 17.
After Thursday's game, the 'Cats will return home to Welsh-Ryan Arena and prepare to host Illinois on Sunday. Tip off between the two teams is set for 2 p.m.
