Northwestern
6-7,1-1Big Ten
Rutgers
6-9,0-2Big Ten
Fourth-Quarter Comeback Lifts Northwestern Past Rutgers, 77-70
12/30/2023 5:06:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern fought back from a 62-56 third-quarter deficit to beat the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 77-70 at home Saturday, moving to 1-1 in Big Ten play.
The Wildcats (6-7, 1-1) had three players score in double figures, led by Caileigh Walsh, who had 22 points and two steals. Melannie Daley added 20 points and two steals and Paige Mott helped out with 15 points.
Northwestern took advantage of great ball movement in Saturday's game, piling up 24 assists on 28 made field goals. Caroline Lau's eight assists led the distribution list for the Wildcats and Casey Harter also contributed with seven assists of her own.
Northwestern did a great job disrupting Rutgers shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks. Harter led the way individually for the Wildcats with two rejections.
How It Happened
After falling behind 4-0, Northwestern went on a 5-0 run with 8:57 left in the first quarter to take a 5-4 lead. The Wildcats then surrendered that lead and entered the second quarter down 23-15.
Northwestern then cut the Scarlet Knights' lead to 36-29 before going on a 6-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Walsh, to narrow its deficit to 36-35. Rutgers responded and expanded its lead, leaving the Wildcats trailing 40-38 heading into halftime.
Northwestern's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Wildcats faced a 62-56 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter.
Northwestern came out of the third quarter break clicking on all cylinders, starting on a 10-0 run to seize a 66-62 lead with 6:32 to go in the contest. The Wildcats kept expanding the margin and coasted the rest of the way for the 77-70 win. Northwestern took advantage of five Rutgers turnovers in the quarter, scoring eight points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» The Wildcats shared the ball well, recording an assist on 86 percent of made baskets.
» Northwestern had a stellar day defensively, holding Rutgers to 18 percent from three point land on 17 attempts.
» The Northwestern defense forced 19 turnovers.
» Caileigh Walsh had a game-high 22 points and Melannie Daley added 20. It was Walsh's third 20-point game of the season and Daley's fourth. The 'Cats have a team have tallied seven individual 20+ point games.
» Northwestern got a team-high seven rebounds from Caroline Lau.
This article was created using technology provided by Data Skrive.
