Northwestern University Athletics
Sunday, November 9
Evanston, Ill.
2 p.m. CT
Northwestern
2-0,0-0Big Ten
64
vs
51
SIUE
2-1,0-0OVC
1
2
3
4
F
SIUE
6
11
18
16
51
Northwestern
15
12
24
13
64
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
Sullivan Powers 'Cats To 64-51 Win Over SIUE
11/9/2025 5:37:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Senior forward leads all scorers with 25 points
EVANSTON, Ill. (November 9, 2025) — Senior forward Grace Sullivan scored a game-high 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting as Northwestern defeated SIUE, 64-51, on Sunday afternoon in Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Sullivan's scoring effort marked her top offensive output as a Wildcat.
"I really wanted to focus on taking my time today and checking the defense," Sullivan said. "That's what I've been working on, even in my individual workouts — just slowing down. Doing that allowed me to get that turnaround jump shot, get the hook shots, mid-range shots, just hunt out the things that I'm good at."
The Wildcats (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) turned in a decisive defensive effort to hold the Cougars (2-1, 0-0 OVC) to their lowest scoring output in the young season. The hosts limited SIUE to a 19-of-65 (29.2%) clip from the field and a 27.6% rate (8-of-29) from 3-point range.
"That is a team that is capable of making 10, 12, 15 threes in a game, so our whole scouting report was to take that away," said head coach Joe McKeown. "We defended pretty well tonight."
Graduate student guard Tate Lash joined Sullivan in double figures, posting 11 points, three rebounds and three assists on 4-of-10 shooting.
"I'm super blessed to have this opportunity to play with these girls and at this level," Lash said. "It's been amazing, humbling and I'm just excited to be here."
The game marked another standout performance from Northwestern's frontcourt duo. In addition to Sullivan's scoring flurry, sophomore forward Tayla Thomas secured her second straight double-digit rebounding performance with 11 rebounds and nine points.
Senior guard Caroline Lau ran the floor with nine points, six rebounds and a team-high eight assists to just one turnover.
"She's just trying to do what you need to run our team but also knowing she has to be a scoring threat," McKeown said of Lau.
Northwestern stymied the SIUE scoring effort in a dominant opening frame. The Cougars converted just 2-of-15 first-quarter field goals and coughed up five turnovers. Sullivan paced the 'Cats with eight first-quarter points as the 'Cats built a 15-6 lead in the initial 10 minutes.
The Wildcats led by as many as 11 points in the second quarter and entered halftime with a 27-17 edge. This marked the fewest first-half points Northwestern has allowed since giving up 16 against Niagara on Nov. 22, 2022.
Following the intermission, the Wildcats turned in their most prolific scoring quarter of the contest, pouring in 24 points to stretch their lead to 51-35.
Northwestern maintained its momentum in the final frame as it cruised to its second consecutive win to start the season. In the closing minutes, graduate student guard Sammy White and first-years Sandra Moreno and Amparo López made their Wildcat debuts.
"We got the jitterbugs out," Sullivan said. "Obviously, first game of the season, there's going to be some nervous energy. Today, we came out a lot more calm, cool and collected."
Northwestern will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 14 against Maryland Eastern Shore. Tip-off from Welsh-Ryan Arena is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT.
Gallery: (11-9-2025) Women's Basketball vs. SIUE
Sullivan's scoring effort marked her top offensive output as a Wildcat.
"I really wanted to focus on taking my time today and checking the defense," Sullivan said. "That's what I've been working on, even in my individual workouts — just slowing down. Doing that allowed me to get that turnaround jump shot, get the hook shots, mid-range shots, just hunt out the things that I'm good at."
The Wildcats (2-0, 0-0 Big Ten) turned in a decisive defensive effort to hold the Cougars (2-1, 0-0 OVC) to their lowest scoring output in the young season. The hosts limited SIUE to a 19-of-65 (29.2%) clip from the field and a 27.6% rate (8-of-29) from 3-point range.
"That is a team that is capable of making 10, 12, 15 threes in a game, so our whole scouting report was to take that away," said head coach Joe McKeown. "We defended pretty well tonight."
Graduate student guard Tate Lash joined Sullivan in double figures, posting 11 points, three rebounds and three assists on 4-of-10 shooting.
"I'm super blessed to have this opportunity to play with these girls and at this level," Lash said. "It's been amazing, humbling and I'm just excited to be here."
The game marked another standout performance from Northwestern's frontcourt duo. In addition to Sullivan's scoring flurry, sophomore forward Tayla Thomas secured her second straight double-digit rebounding performance with 11 rebounds and nine points.
Senior guard Caroline Lau ran the floor with nine points, six rebounds and a team-high eight assists to just one turnover.
"She's just trying to do what you need to run our team but also knowing she has to be a scoring threat," McKeown said of Lau.
Northwestern stymied the SIUE scoring effort in a dominant opening frame. The Cougars converted just 2-of-15 first-quarter field goals and coughed up five turnovers. Sullivan paced the 'Cats with eight first-quarter points as the 'Cats built a 15-6 lead in the initial 10 minutes.
The Wildcats led by as many as 11 points in the second quarter and entered halftime with a 27-17 edge. This marked the fewest first-half points Northwestern has allowed since giving up 16 against Niagara on Nov. 22, 2022.
Following the intermission, the Wildcats turned in their most prolific scoring quarter of the contest, pouring in 24 points to stretch their lead to 51-35.
Northwestern maintained its momentum in the final frame as it cruised to its second consecutive win to start the season. In the closing minutes, graduate student guard Sammy White and first-years Sandra Moreno and Amparo López made their Wildcat debuts.
"We got the jitterbugs out," Sullivan said. "Obviously, first game of the season, there's going to be some nervous energy. Today, we came out a lot more calm, cool and collected."
Northwestern will be back in action on Friday, Nov. 14 against Maryland Eastern Shore. Tip-off from Welsh-Ryan Arena is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT.
Team Stats
SIUE
NU
FG%
.292
.418
3FG%
.276
.333
FT%
.417
.696
RB
41
40
TO
10
8
STL
2
6
Game Leaders
Pts
25
FGM
10
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball'Cats Move To 2-0, Cruise Past SIUE, 64-51
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