Northwestern University Athletics
Wednesday, November 5
Evanston, Ill.
7 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
IU Indy
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
Northwestern Entertains IU Indy Wednesday To Open 2025-26 Season
11/4/2025 4:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
'Cats begin season-opening three-game homestand against Jaguars
EVANSTON, Ill. (November 4, 2025) - Northwestern officially lifts the lid on the 2025-26 season on Wednesday evening when it welcomes IU Indy to Welsh-Ryan Arena for a 7 p.m. CT tip-off. The matchup against the Jaguars kicks off a season-opening three-game homestand for the 'Cats.
LAST TIME OUT
Grace Sullivan led a trio of Wildcats to score in double figures with a game-high 23 points, as Northwestern coasted to an 82-49 win over Lewis in its lone exhibition tune-up this past Saturday inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. Sullivan, who finished 9-of-16 from the field and a perfect 5-of-5 from the free-throw line, also added five rebounds, five blocks, and a steal.
Tayla Thomas also made her presence felt at both ends of the floor, closing her day with 14 points, 10 rebounds, a block, and a steal. Tate Lash rounded out Northwestern's group of double-figure scorers, chipping in 10 points, five assists, and two steals. Caroline Lau handed out a game-high nine assists, in addition to five points and six rebounds.
SCOUTING IU INDY
IU Indy (1-0) opened the campaign on a high note, as it held off a late charge from Indiana State to secure a 67-64 win this past Monday in Indianapolis, Ind. Piloted by fourth-year head coach Kate Bruce, the Jaguars were picked to finish 10th in the Horizon League Preseason Poll after going 9-21 (8-12 HL) in 2024-25.
Bruce's roster features a bevy of new faces, with 10 newcomers joining a group of five returning letterwinners.
Hailey Smith, a transfer from Ball State, impressed in IU Indy's season-opening triumph, putting up a team-high 15 points to lead a group of three in double figures. Neveah Foster, the team's top returning scorer (9.8 ppg) from last season, added 13 points, while Destini Craig put up 12 points. Led by 11 rebounds from Ariana Williams, the Jaguars finished with a +10 advantage on the glass and outscored Indiana State by a 17-5 margin in second-chance points.
SERIES STUFF
Northwestern and IU Indy will meet for only the third time on Wednesday evening. The 'Cats prevailed in the two previous encounters, both of which occurred during the 2013-14 season. Following a 72-61 win during the regular season, Northwestern cruised to an 88-52 victory over the Jaguars in the Second Round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).
Under head coach Joe McKeown, the Wildcats are 14-3 (.824) in regular season openers. McKeown also owns an impressive 15-2 mark (.882) in home openers since his arrival in Evanston ahead of the 2008-09 campaign.
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to the Welsh-Ryan Arena hardwood on Sunday, November 9 for 2 p.m. CT tilt with SIUE.
LAST TIME OUT
Grace Sullivan led a trio of Wildcats to score in double figures with a game-high 23 points, as Northwestern coasted to an 82-49 win over Lewis in its lone exhibition tune-up this past Saturday inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. Sullivan, who finished 9-of-16 from the field and a perfect 5-of-5 from the free-throw line, also added five rebounds, five blocks, and a steal.
Tayla Thomas also made her presence felt at both ends of the floor, closing her day with 14 points, 10 rebounds, a block, and a steal. Tate Lash rounded out Northwestern's group of double-figure scorers, chipping in 10 points, five assists, and two steals. Caroline Lau handed out a game-high nine assists, in addition to five points and six rebounds.
SCOUTING IU INDY
IU Indy (1-0) opened the campaign on a high note, as it held off a late charge from Indiana State to secure a 67-64 win this past Monday in Indianapolis, Ind. Piloted by fourth-year head coach Kate Bruce, the Jaguars were picked to finish 10th in the Horizon League Preseason Poll after going 9-21 (8-12 HL) in 2024-25.
Bruce's roster features a bevy of new faces, with 10 newcomers joining a group of five returning letterwinners.
Hailey Smith, a transfer from Ball State, impressed in IU Indy's season-opening triumph, putting up a team-high 15 points to lead a group of three in double figures. Neveah Foster, the team's top returning scorer (9.8 ppg) from last season, added 13 points, while Destini Craig put up 12 points. Led by 11 rebounds from Ariana Williams, the Jaguars finished with a +10 advantage on the glass and outscored Indiana State by a 17-5 margin in second-chance points.
SERIES STUFF
Northwestern and IU Indy will meet for only the third time on Wednesday evening. The 'Cats prevailed in the two previous encounters, both of which occurred during the 2013-14 season. Following a 72-61 win during the regular season, Northwestern cruised to an 88-52 victory over the Jaguars in the Second Round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT).
Under head coach Joe McKeown, the Wildcats are 14-3 (.824) in regular season openers. McKeown also owns an impressive 15-2 mark (.882) in home openers since his arrival in Evanston ahead of the 2008-09 campaign.
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to the Welsh-Ryan Arena hardwood on Sunday, November 9 for 2 p.m. CT tilt with SIUE.
Players Mentioned
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