Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Maryland
Northwestern Set to Host No. 8 Maryland in Play4Kay Game
2/8/2023 2:37:00 PM | Women's Basketball
| NORTHWESTERN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: GAME INFORMATION | |||||
| DATE | Opponent | TIME | LOCATION | Watch | Live Stats |
| Thursday, February 9 | #8 Maryland | 7:30 p.m. | Welsh-Ryan Arena Evanston, Illinois |
Big Ten Network | Live Stats |
| Social: Twitter: @NUWbball | Instagram: @nuwbball | |||||
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern women's basketball looks for its first top-10 win in nearly a year as the Wildcats will host the eighth-ranked Maryland Terrapins on Thursday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena in their annual Play4Kay game. Tip-off between the Wildcats and Terrapins is set for 7:30 p.m and will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
Northwestern (8-15, 1-11) will play their second straight at home after falling to Nebraska, 78-66, on Monday. Thursday's matchup will be the 14th all-time meeting between the Wildcats and Terrapins (19-5, 10-3), with Maryland leading the overall series, 12-1. The Terrapins enter the day on a four-game win streak against the 'Cats, with Northwestern's sole victory coming in 2019. In their most recent matchup, Northwestern fell to Maryland 87-59 last January in College Park. Thursday's contest will be Maryland's first trip to Welsh-Ryan in almost two years.
Thursday will serve as the 'Cats' fifth game against a top-10 ranked opponent this season. With losses to ninth-ranked Notre Dame, third- and second-ranked Ohio State, and sixth-ranked Indiana this year, Northwestern's last top-10 win came on February 13, 2022, when they defeated fourth-ranked Michigan 71-69 at home in double overtime.
Last time out, the 'Cats were paced once again by junior forward Paige Mott, who had 13 points against the Cornhuskers to extend her double-figure scoring streak to six games. Sydney Wood had another great all-around game as well, contributing 12 points to go along with four assists, three steals, and two blocks. Wood is currently second in the Big Ten in steals (53) and steals per game (2.4), continuing to show elite perimeter defense.
Northwestern fell behind early against the Nebraska, trailing by 15 after the first quarter, during which Nebraska made six of their eight three-point attempts. The Wildcats found themselves down as much as 22 heading into the fourth quarter before cutting the deficit to 60-53 with 4:06 left in the game. Though they ultimately fell short as Nebraska hit their last 12 free throws to close out the game, Northwestern showed out on the defensive end, forcing 24 Nebraska turnovers and converting them into 27 points.
The Terrapins travel to Evanston coming off a home win against No. 10 Ohio State, leading the Buckeyes from start to finish en route to their largest margin of victory against a top-10 team in program history, 90-54. With the win, Maryland has recorded three victories against top-10 teams this season and now sits alone in third place in the Big Ten behind Indiana and Iowa.
The 'Cats will face a tough task in Maryland, who is led by senior guard Diamond Miller. The 2023 Preseason All-Big Ten Team member is averaging 19.4 points (third in the Big Ten), and 6.4 rebounds to go along with 1.4 blocks (fourth in the Big Ten) and 2.1 steals (t-third in the Big Ten). Two other Terrapin guards average double-figures in scoring as well: sophomore Shyanne Sellers (15.4 points per game) and senior Abby Meyers (14.2 points per game).
After facing Maryland, the Wildcats will travel to West Lafayette for a rematch with the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. Tip-off between the two teams is set for 1 p.m. CT on Sunday, February 12th.
