Northwestern
6-8,0-4Big Ten
Illinois
14-2,4-1Big Ten
Northwestern Falls 85-79 to Illinois
1/5/2023 10:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
CHAMPAIGN, IL --The Northwestern women's basketball team got a 32-point performance from the bench, but fell 85-79 to the Illinois Fighting Illini on the road Thursday.
The Wildcats (6-8, 0-4) had four players score in double figures, led by Sydney Wood, who had 19 points, five assists, three steals and two blocks. Courtney Shaw added 17 points off the bench and Kaylah Rainey chipped in as well with 12 points.
How It Happened
After falling behind 20-8, Northwestern went on a 6-0 run with 1:42 left in the first quarter to narrow its deficit to 20-14, a score that would hold for the rest of the period.
The Wildcats continued to lose ground in the second quarter and faced a 45-27 halftime deficit.
After intermission, however, the 'Cats began a comeback. Northwestern cut its deficit to 57-42 before going on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a three from Rainey, to trim their deficit to 57-49 with 2:46 to go in the third. The Wildcats continued to reduce the Illinois lead, shrinking it to 63-56 by the end of the third quarter. Northwestern played well near the basket, scoring 18 of its 29 points in the paint.
Illinois kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 73-64 advantage, before Northwestern went on a 7-0 run to shrink the deficit to 73-71 with 5:18 to go in the contest. Illinois responded and though the teams traded points, the Illini outscored the Wildcats the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 85-79.
Game Notes
» The Northwestern bench made an impact by scoring 32 of the team's 79 points.
» Sydney Wood led the Wildcats with 19 points, which tied her career high.
» Kaylah Rainey also set a career high for points, with 12.
» Courtney Shaw's 17 points tied her season high, set against Niagara.
» Northwestern got a team-high six rebounds from Caileigh Walsh.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
