Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
4-7,0-1Big Ten
Bradley
4-6,0-0MVC
Northwestern Bests Bradley 86-66
12/17/2023 4:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern got a 32-point performance from the bench on the way to an 86-66 victory against the Bradley Braves at home Sunday.
The Wildcats (4-7) had four players score in double figures, led by Caileigh Walsh, who had 19 points. Caroline Lau tacked on 17 points, five assists, two steals and two blocks and Paige Mott helped out with 16 points and two blocks.
Melannie Daley also scored in double figures for the fourth time in her last six games, putting up 13 points to go along with six assists and a career-high five steals.
Northwestern did a great job disrupting Bradley shots in the contest as well, coming away with five blocks. Mott led the way individually for the Wildcats with two rejections.
How It Happened
Northwestern struggled out of the gate, falling behind 24-19 at the end of the first quarter.
The 'Cats started off the second quarter with a 5-0 run, however, tying the game at 24. The teams traded baskets for the rest of the half and Bradley entered the break with a narrow 39-38 advantage.
After intermission, Northwestern rallied again to tie it up at 42-42 before going on a 13-0 run to grab a 55-42 lead with 5:03 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Braves had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Wildcats still entered the fourth quarter with a 65-54 edge. Northwestern played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 27 points in the paint.
Northwestern kept its lead intact through the fourth before going on a 9-0 run, finished off by Daley's jumper, to grow the lead to 86-66 with 1:32 to go in the contest, a score which would hold for the rest of the game. Northwestern got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring 10 of its 21 total points.
Game Notes
» Northwestern never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» The Wildcats put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 76 percent of made baskets.
» The Northwestern bench came alive by adding 32 points to its scoring output.
» Northwestern had a 36-30 edge on the boards in the win.
» Northwestern turned the ball over just seven times - a season best - while dishing out 25 assists.
» Northwestern cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Caileigh Walsh led the Wildcats with a game-high 19 points.
» Northwestern got five rebounds from both Caileigh Walsh and Caroline Lau.
» Crystal Wang scored a career-high nine points in the contest on 3-5 shooting.
» The 'Cats had three players with five or more assits in Daley (6), Harter (6) and Lau (5).
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
