ANN ARBOR, Mich. (December 8, 2024) – Northwestern (4-4, 0-1 B1G) gave No. 23 Michigan (8-1, 1-0 B1G) all it could handle, ultimately dropping a 60-54 decision this afternoon at the Crisler Center in the Big Ten Conference opener for both teams in Ann Arbor, Mich.Â
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How It Happened
Grace Sullivan got Northwestern on the board just over a minute in, knocking down a mid-range jumper to give the visitors an early 2-0 lead. Â Casey Harter rattled off five straight points shortly after, connecting on a three before scoring on the break off a Caroline Lau feed to put the 'Cats back on top, 9-8. Â Northwestern went cold to close the opening frame, missing on its last four attempts from the field as Michigan established a 20-13 lead.
Melannie Daley snapped Northwestern's drought early in the second quarter when she dropped home a floater that cut the gap to 20-15 at the 8:40 mark. Â Kyla Jones found space inside to pull the 'Cats back within two, 23-21, before Michigan answered with a 7-0 run to stretch its lead to 30-21. Â Northwestern answered back to close the half, rattling off seven unanswered of its own, a surge punctuated by a Lau trey that saw Northwestern close within one, 32-31.
Jones converted again inside, sparking a half-opening 6-0 spurt that puts the 'Cats in front, 37-32, following a Taylor Williams bucket in the paint. Â Northwestern responded to every Michigan push in the third quarter, with another Lau three in the closing seconds sending the 'Cats to the final frame with a 44-40 edge.
Michigan stepped on the gas to begin the fourth quarter, taking off on a 10-0 run that vaulted the Wolverines on top, 50-44. Â The pairing of Lau and Jones provided a response, hitting on consecutive triples to knot the score up at 50-50 with 4:15 to play in regulation. Â Caileigh Walsh briefly sent Northwestern back in front with a three of her own, 53-52, at the 3:36 mark. Â Jordan Hobbs took over down the stretch, scoring six of the Wolverines' final eight points as Michigan survived, 60-54.Â
Inside The Box Score
- Northwestern held Michigan, which entered the afternoon ranked inside the top 15 nationally in scoring offense, to its season-low point total.
- Jones finished with 14 points (6-12 FGs, 1-2 3FGs, 1-2 FTs) to lead the 'Cats.
   - This afternoon's effort marked Jones' fourth game in double figures this season.
- Walsh added 10 points (4-8 FGs, 2-5 3FGs) as she reached double figures in scoring for the fourth time across her last five appearances.
- Lau drilled a season-high three three-point field goals as part of a nine-point (3-7 FGs, 3-6 3FGs) outing that also included five rebounds and seven assists.
   - Lau has dished out five or more assists in six games this season.
- Williams ripped down 11 rebounds, her fifth game of 10-plus rebounds, in addition to adding six points (3-5 FGs).
- Olivia Olson paced the Wolverines with a game-high 18 points (6-15 FGs, 1-6 3FGs, 5-7 FTs).
Up Next
Following a break for final exams, Northwestern returns to non-conference play on Sunday, December 15 when it entertains Bradley in a 2 p.m. tip-off inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
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Gallery: (12-7-2024) Women's Basketball at #23 Michigan
How It Happened
Grace Sullivan got Northwestern on the board just over a minute in, knocking down a mid-range jumper to give the visitors an early 2-0 lead. Â Casey Harter rattled off five straight points shortly after, connecting on a three before scoring on the break off a Caroline Lau feed to put the 'Cats back on top, 9-8. Â Northwestern went cold to close the opening frame, missing on its last four attempts from the field as Michigan established a 20-13 lead.
Melannie Daley snapped Northwestern's drought early in the second quarter when she dropped home a floater that cut the gap to 20-15 at the 8:40 mark. Â Kyla Jones found space inside to pull the 'Cats back within two, 23-21, before Michigan answered with a 7-0 run to stretch its lead to 30-21. Â Northwestern answered back to close the half, rattling off seven unanswered of its own, a surge punctuated by a Lau trey that saw Northwestern close within one, 32-31.
Jones converted again inside, sparking a half-opening 6-0 spurt that puts the 'Cats in front, 37-32, following a Taylor Williams bucket in the paint. Â Northwestern responded to every Michigan push in the third quarter, with another Lau three in the closing seconds sending the 'Cats to the final frame with a 44-40 edge.
Michigan stepped on the gas to begin the fourth quarter, taking off on a 10-0 run that vaulted the Wolverines on top, 50-44. Â The pairing of Lau and Jones provided a response, hitting on consecutive triples to knot the score up at 50-50 with 4:15 to play in regulation. Â Caileigh Walsh briefly sent Northwestern back in front with a three of her own, 53-52, at the 3:36 mark. Â Jordan Hobbs took over down the stretch, scoring six of the Wolverines' final eight points as Michigan survived, 60-54.Â
Inside The Box Score
- Northwestern held Michigan, which entered the afternoon ranked inside the top 15 nationally in scoring offense, to its season-low point total.
- Jones finished with 14 points (6-12 FGs, 1-2 3FGs, 1-2 FTs) to lead the 'Cats.
   - This afternoon's effort marked Jones' fourth game in double figures this season.
- Walsh added 10 points (4-8 FGs, 2-5 3FGs) as she reached double figures in scoring for the fourth time across her last five appearances.
- Lau drilled a season-high three three-point field goals as part of a nine-point (3-7 FGs, 3-6 3FGs) outing that also included five rebounds and seven assists.
   - Lau has dished out five or more assists in six games this season.
- Williams ripped down 11 rebounds, her fifth game of 10-plus rebounds, in addition to adding six points (3-5 FGs).
- Olivia Olson paced the Wolverines with a game-high 18 points (6-15 FGs, 1-6 3FGs, 5-7 FTs).
Up Next
Following a break for final exams, Northwestern returns to non-conference play on Sunday, December 15 when it entertains Bradley in a 2 p.m. tip-off inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.