Sunday, December 8
Ann Arbor, Mich.
1 p.m. CT
Northwestern
4-4,0-1Big Ten
54
at
60
Michigan
8-1,1-0Big Ten
1
2
3
4
F
Northwestern
13
18
13
10
54
Michigan
20
12
8
20
60
Photo by: David Dermer/Northwestern Athletics
No. 23 Michigan Fends Off Northwestern In Big Ten Opener, 60-54
12/8/2024 3:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Jones, Walsh score in double figures to lead Wildcats
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.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Caileigh Walsh briefly sent Northwestern back in front with a three of her own, 53-52, at the 3:36 mark. Jordan Hobbs took over down the stretch, scoring six of the Wolverines' final eight points as Michigan survived, 60-54.
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.
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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Caileigh Walsh briefly sent Northwestern back in front with a three of her own, 53-52, at the 3:36 mark. Jordan Hobbs took over down the stretch, scoring six of the Wolverines' final eight points as Michigan survived, 60-54.
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.
Team Stats
NU
Mich
FG%
.426
.361
3FG%
.412
.238
FT%
.250
.611
RB
33
42
TO
13
10
STL
1
3
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
6
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballJoe McKeown Joins B1G Today (7/14/25)
Thursday, July 17
Women's Basketball - Nebraska Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, March 02
Women's Basketball - 'Cats Furious Comeback Falls Short In 85-79 Loss To No. 21 Maryland (2/20/25)
Friday, February 21
Women's Basketball | Maryland Postgame Press Conference
Friday, February 21
