Northwestern University Athletics
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Mott, Lau Notch Double-Doubles Again in 87-69 Victory Over Omaha
11/12/2023 5:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Paige Mott and Caroline Lau each recorded double-doubles to help lead Northwestern women's basketball team past the Omaha Mavericks 87-69 at home Sunday. With the win, Head Coach Joe McKeown moved to 252 career wins at the helm for Northwestern women's basketball, making McKeown the winningest basketball coach in Northwestern history.
The double-doubles by Mott, who had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and Lau, who had 11 points and 12 assists, led the Wildcats (2-0) in the contest. Melannie Daley helped out with 21 points and three steals, her second-straight 20+-point game
Northwestern grabbed 41 rebounds in Sunday's game compared to Omaha's 35, led by Mott's 13 boards. The Wildcats also cleaned up the offensive glass, turning 14 rebounds into seven second chance points.
Meanwhile, the Northwestern defense held Omaha shooters to just 34.9 percent from the field.
How It Happened
Northwestern started out the scoring by going on a 17-0 run, culminating in a three from Hailey Weaver, to take an early lead with 5:21 left in the first quarter. The Wildcats then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 24-8 advantage. Northwestern did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 14 of its 24 points close to the basket.
Northwestern kept its first quarter lead intact before going on an 8-0 run starting at the 2:20 mark in the second period, highlighted by a three from Daley, to increase its lead to 46-22. The Mavericks cut into that lead, but the Wildcats still enjoyed a 46-24 advantage heading into halftime. Northwestern was strong from deep in the period, knocking down four three-point shots to account for 12 of its 22 points.
Northwestern continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Mott, to expand its lead further to 60-39 with 4:56 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Mavericks had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Wildcats still entered the fourth quarter with a 68-48 edge. Northwestern played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 22 points in the paint.
Northwestern started tacking on points in the fourth almost immediately, going on a 6-0 run, finished off by Weaver's three, to grow the lead to 74-48 with 8:08 to go in the contest. The Mavericks narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Wildcats still cruised the rest of the way for the 87-69 win. Northwestern fired away from deep in the quarter, knocking down three shots to account for nine of its 19 points.
Game Notes
» Northwestern got double-doubles from both Paige Mott and Caroline Lau for the second straight game.
» For the second straight game, every Northwestern starter scored in double figures.
» The Wildcats shot well from three point range, knocking down eight of 19 long range attempts.
» The Wildcats held the Mavericks to only 34.9 percent shooting from the field.
» The Wildcats never trailed after taking a 24-8 first quarter lead.
» The Wildcats shared the ball well, recording an assist on 83 percent of made baskets.
» Caroline Lau recorded 12 assists for Northwestern, her second straight 10+ assist game.
» The Northwestern defense forced 20 turnovers.
» The Wildcats were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
» Northwestern cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 14 offensive boards in the game.
» Melannie Daley led the Wildcats with a game-high 21 points.
» Northwestern got a game-high 13 rebounds from Paige Mott.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
