Northwestern
Penn State
'Cats Look to Extend Win Streak at Penn State
2/1/2023 2:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball
| NORTHWESTERN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: GAME INFORMATION | |||||
| DATE | Opponent | TIME | LOCATION | Watch | Live Stats |
| Thursday, February 2 | Penn State | 6:00 p.m. CT | Bryce Jordan Center University Park, Pennsylvania |
B1G+ | Live Stats |
| Social: Twitter: @NUWbball | Instagram: @nuwbball | |||||
UNIVERSITY PARK, Penn. - Northwestern women's basketball looks for their third straight win as they travel east to face Penn State on Thursday night. Tip-off between the Wildcats and the Lady Lions is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Northwestern (8-13, 1-9) will head east to University Park after defeating Wisconsin, 70-67, in Madison for its first conference win of the season. Paired with their January 25 victory over Chicago State, the 'Cats collected back-to-back wins for the first time since December 17th. Thursday's matchup will be the 52nd all-time meeting between the Wildcats and Nittany Lions (12-10, 3-8), with PSU leading the overall series, 39-12. Northwestern has won five of its last six meetings against Penn State, including the most recent matchup at Bryce Jordan Center.
On Sunday afternoon against the Badgers, Northwestern fell behind by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, but rallied with a 15-0 run to tie the game before heading into the fourth quarter down by six points. Northwestern used a 7-0 run to take the lead with 1:58 to go in the game before hanging on to secure the close victory.
Paige Mott led the charge for the 'Cats with a career-high 23 points and fell just short of a double-double with nine rebounds. Mott has scored in double figures in each of the last four games, averaging almost 16 points during that span. Caileigh Walsh also continued her strong play, chipping in 18 points. She leads the team in scoring with 12.3 points per game.
After missing the Chicago State game, graduate student Sydney Wood contributed in every aspect for the 'Cats, as she put up 12 points while collecting three steals and three blocks. Wood is second in the Big Ten in steals (48) and steals per game (2.4). Sophomore guard Hailey Weaver also added four steals as the 'Cats forced 21 Wisconsin turnovers, turning them into 18 points on the other end.
Despite coming off a loss against No. 8 Maryland, the Lady Lions enter play with a few of the top performers in the Big Ten. Makenna Marisa ranks fourth in the conference in scoring with 18.4 points per game, while redshirt sophomore Leilani Kapinus leads the Big Ten in steals (75) and steals per game (3.4). Opponents have committed 20-plus turnovers in 13 games this season against the Nittany Lions, who have forced the second-most turnovers in the Big Ten.
After traveling to University Park, the Wildcats will be back at home next week to take on Nebraska at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip-off between the two teams is set for 6 p.m. on Monday, with action to be televised on Big Ten Network.
