Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Lehigh
'Cats Continue Homestand Sunday, Entertain Lehigh
11/9/2024 12:05:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Tip-off set for 2 p.m. inside Welsh-Ryan Arena
LAST TIME OUT
Northwestern fell to visiting Illinois State, 81-77, in the regular season opener for both teams this past Wednesday at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Kyla Jones dazzled in her Wildcat debut, pouring in a game-high 28 points (9-12 FGs, 2-3 3FGs, 8-12 FTs), 23 of which came in the second half. Wednesday's effort marked the graduate student's 18th career game of 20-plus points. Casey Harter enjoyed a career night, putting up 18 points (7-13 FGs, 2-4 3FGs, 2-4 FTs). Grace Sullivan rounded out a trio to score in double figures for the Wildcats, adding 10 points (5-8 FGs) and a team-best eight rebounds.
Caroline Lau handed out a team-high five assists, her 22nd career outing with five or more helpers.
SCOUTING LEHIGH
Lehigh (1-1) has split its first two matchups of 2024-25. Third-year head coach Addie Micir's team cruised past LIU, 83-59, last Monday before dropping an 86-55 decision at Michigan on Friday.
The Mountain Hawks, who are coming off a 17-13 finish (9-9 PL) last season, were picked third in the Patriot League's Preseason Poll.
Micir returns her top seven returning scorers from a season ago, a group highlighted by the pairing of Ella Stemmer and Maddie Albrecht. Stemmer led Lehigh in scoring last season, averaging 13.6 points per game, while Albrecht put up 9.7 ppg and 4.7 rebounds per game en route to earning Third Team All-Patriot League honors. Albrecht has led the Mountain Hawks in the early days of the new season, averaging a team-best 14.5 points per game.
SERIES STUFF
Northwestern, which is meeting Lehigh for the first time, will be matching up against a Patriot League foe for the first time since the 2019-20 season. The 'Cats defeated both Loyola Maryland, 67-46, and Colgate, 73-44, as part of their Big Ten title-winning campaign. Northwestern is 5-0 (1.000) all-time against current Patriot League members.
UP NEXT
Northwestern continues a season-opening four-game homestand on Thursday, November 14 with a 6 p.m. tilt against Utah that will be televised on Big Ten Network.
