Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, November 1
Evanston, Ill.
2 p.m. CT
Northwestern
0-0,0-0Big Ten
82
vs
49
Lewis
0-0,0-0GLVC
1
2
3
4
F
Lewis
11
8
17
13
49
Northwestern
16
19
28
19
82
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
'Cats Soar Past Lewis In Exhibition, 82-49
11/1/2025 4:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Sullivan leads trio in double figures with 23 points
EVANSTON, Ill. (November 1, 2025) — Behind a 23-point, five-block and five-rebound performance from senior forward Grace Sullivan, Northwestern defeated Lewis, 82-49, in a preseason exhibition at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Saturday afternoon.
"It's good to be back in the game, in the arena, playing against somebody else," head coach Joe McKeown said. "We've been practicing really hard. This group has bought in. What we all feel is the work ethic. They're in the gym all the time getting shots up."
Sullivan, who averaged 10.1 points per game during her first season with the program in 2024-25, said she's embraced her elevated role as a veteran leader this season.
"I've always been taught that it's the little things that add up to the larger things," Sullivan said. "That's where I see myself as a leader, going hard in every drill, patting my teammates on the back when they miss a shot. Those are the things that create wins."
In a commanding defensive display, the Wildcats held the Flyers to a 27.6% field goal percentage and forced 23 turnovers.
For McKeown, defense has long been a staple in Northwestern's program. He said it's a constant focus in practices.
"We're still finding [our identity], but our defensive showing was really good," sophomore forward Tayla Thomas said. "We were very aggressive in our full-court man-to-man, making sure they can't get down the floor. Today was a great start to look back on and take note."
Thomas recorded 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting and a team-high nine rebounds. Senior guard Caroline Lau — the 2024-25 Big Ten assist leader — dished out a game-high nine assists.
Now starters in the frontcourt, Thomas and Sullivan both lauded their chemistry in the post. McKeown said the duo, which combined for 37 points on a collective 14-of-24 shooting, reminds him of potent forward tandems of the program's past.
"That was fun to watch," McKeown said of Thomas and Sullivan. "We've had some great combos, and these guys are playing off each other. They're spacing well, and they both go to the offensive glass. We just have to get them the ball."
McKeown, entering his 18th and final season at the program's helm, retained his perfect record in exhibition games in Evanston.
"[It's] a little sentimental, but we've been blessed," McKeown said. "I've been really blessed to be at two schools for 38 years. It doesn't happen much anymore."
Just over a minute into the game, Sullivan opened the scoring on a midrange jumper. Although Lewis responded with an early scoring flurry, a 10-0 Northwestern run helped the hosts build a 16-11 lead at the first quarter's conclusion.
On the back of another late-quarter surge, Northwestern closed the first half with a 35-19 advantage. Sullivan led all scorers with 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting in the opening 20 minutes of action. Graduate student guard Tate Lash dished out a team-high four first-half assists.
Northwestern carried its momentum out of the halftime break, extending the advantage to 46-22 less than two minutes into the third quarter. Once the final frame arrived, the 'Cats had amassed a 63-36 lead.
Northwestern relented just 13 points in the fourth quarter as they breezed to a 33-point win.
"It's great to have a band, a crowd, the people. You need that," McKeown said. "It's like a dress rehearsal, and it'll help get them ready for the coming games."
The Wildcats will open regular season play at home on Wednesday, November 5 against IU Indy. Tip-off from Welsh-Ryan Arena is slated for 7 p.m. CT.
Gallery: (11-1-2025) Women's Basketball vs. Lewis
"It's good to be back in the game, in the arena, playing against somebody else," head coach Joe McKeown said. "We've been practicing really hard. This group has bought in. What we all feel is the work ethic. They're in the gym all the time getting shots up."
Sullivan, who averaged 10.1 points per game during her first season with the program in 2024-25, said she's embraced her elevated role as a veteran leader this season.
"I've always been taught that it's the little things that add up to the larger things," Sullivan said. "That's where I see myself as a leader, going hard in every drill, patting my teammates on the back when they miss a shot. Those are the things that create wins."
In a commanding defensive display, the Wildcats held the Flyers to a 27.6% field goal percentage and forced 23 turnovers.
For McKeown, defense has long been a staple in Northwestern's program. He said it's a constant focus in practices.
"We're still finding [our identity], but our defensive showing was really good," sophomore forward Tayla Thomas said. "We were very aggressive in our full-court man-to-man, making sure they can't get down the floor. Today was a great start to look back on and take note."
Thomas recorded 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting and a team-high nine rebounds. Senior guard Caroline Lau — the 2024-25 Big Ten assist leader — dished out a game-high nine assists.
Now starters in the frontcourt, Thomas and Sullivan both lauded their chemistry in the post. McKeown said the duo, which combined for 37 points on a collective 14-of-24 shooting, reminds him of potent forward tandems of the program's past.
"That was fun to watch," McKeown said of Thomas and Sullivan. "We've had some great combos, and these guys are playing off each other. They're spacing well, and they both go to the offensive glass. We just have to get them the ball."
McKeown, entering his 18th and final season at the program's helm, retained his perfect record in exhibition games in Evanston.
"[It's] a little sentimental, but we've been blessed," McKeown said. "I've been really blessed to be at two schools for 38 years. It doesn't happen much anymore."
Just over a minute into the game, Sullivan opened the scoring on a midrange jumper. Although Lewis responded with an early scoring flurry, a 10-0 Northwestern run helped the hosts build a 16-11 lead at the first quarter's conclusion.
On the back of another late-quarter surge, Northwestern closed the first half with a 35-19 advantage. Sullivan led all scorers with 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting in the opening 20 minutes of action. Graduate student guard Tate Lash dished out a team-high four first-half assists.
Northwestern carried its momentum out of the halftime break, extending the advantage to 46-22 less than two minutes into the third quarter. Once the final frame arrived, the 'Cats had amassed a 63-36 lead.
Northwestern relented just 13 points in the fourth quarter as they breezed to a 33-point win.
"It's great to have a band, a crowd, the people. You need that," McKeown said. "It's like a dress rehearsal, and it'll help get them ready for the coming games."
The Wildcats will open regular season play at home on Wednesday, November 5 against IU Indy. Tip-off from Welsh-Ryan Arena is slated for 7 p.m. CT.
Team Stats
Lewis
NU
FG%
.276
.437
3FG%
.278
.167
FT%
.923
.739
RB
40
44
TO
23
11
STL
7
11
Game Leaders
Pts
23
FGM
9
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballWomen's Basketball - Lewis Exhibition Postgame Press Conference (11/1/25)
Saturday, November 01
Women's Basketball - Big Ten Network Desk Segment at Big Ten Media Day (10/8/25)
Wednesday, October 08
Joe McKeown Joins B1G Today (7/14/25)
Thursday, July 17
Women's Basketball - Nebraska Postgame Press Conference
Sunday, March 02
