Wildcats Host Oregon to Close Out 2024

EVANSTON, Ill. (December 30, 2024) – Northwestern concludes its 2024 calendar year with a Big Ten matchup against Oregon on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. CT, with live coverage on Big Ten Network.

The Wildcats enter the game having won six of their last nine contests. Junior guard Caroline Lau has been a standout for Northwestern, leading the Big Ten in both total assists (83) and assists per game (6.4), rankings that also place her in the Top-10 nationally. Lau has reached double-digit assists three times this season and recorded a season-high 15 points against Washington on Saturday, tying her career best with four three-pointers while also contributing six rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Senior guard Melannie Daley has found her scoring rhythm, reaching double figures in each of the last four games. Daley has improved her efficiency during this stretch, shooting 46% or better in all four contests, including a 6-of-13 performance against Washington where she also dished out a season-high five assists.

Taylor Williams, a graduate transfer from Michigan, has been a force in the frontcourt for Northwestern. Williams has already tallied five double-doubles this season and ranks fifth in the Big Ten with 9.5 rebounds per game. She contributed 11 rebounds in the Wildcats' win over Howard on Dec. 21, her seventh game this season with double-digit boards. With 901 career rebounds, Williams is closing in on the 1,000-rebound milestone heading into the heart of conference play.

LAST TIME OUT

Northwestern dropped a 90-71 contest to Washington at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Saturday. The Wildcats opened with their highest-scoring quarter of the season, tallying 22 points while shooting 66% from the field.

Caroline Lau led Northwestern with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Melannie Daley added 12 points and a season-high five assists, marking her fourth-straight double-figure scoring game. Grace Sullivan contributed 10 points, five rebounds, and a career-high three blocks off the bench.

SCOUTING OREGON

Oregon opened the season with six consecutive wins, including two close victories over ranked opponents Baylor and Auburn. The Ducks enter Tuesday's game seeking their first conference win of the season after setbacks to USC and Illinois. Graduate transfers Deja Kelly and Peyton Scott lead the Ducks with 10.8 and 10.7 points per game, respectively.

Head coach Kelly Graves, now in his 28th season, has amassed 612 career wins, including 230 with Oregon. Together with head coach Joe McKeown (775 career wins, 266 at Northwestern), the two coaching veterans have combined for 1,387 career victories at the Division I level.

SERIES STUFF

This is the fourth meeting between Northwestern and Oregon and the first in Evanston since 1992 (the teams were scheduled to play during the 2021-22 season in Evanston but the meeting was canceled amid a COVID-19 surge). The two programs last met in 2022, when the Ducks won 100-57 in Eugene. Caileigh Walsh led Northwestern in that contest with 15 points, six rebounds, and two blocks.

UP NEXT

Northwestern resumes conference play on the road Sunday, January 5, against Ohio State in Columbus, with tipoff set for 12 p.m. CT. The Wildcats then return to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Wednesday, January 8, to face Indiana at 7 p.m. CT.