Northwestern University Athletics
Wednesday, December 3
Evanston, Ill.
7 p.m. CT
Northwestern
6-2,0-0Big Ten
62
vs
74
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Kansas
7-2,0-0Big 12
1
2
3
4
F
Kansas
6
24
26
18
74
Northwestern
16
18
13
15
62
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
‘Cats Drop 74-62 Decision To Kansas
12/3/2025 10:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Sullivan finishes with 24 points, Lau dishes out 10 assists
EVANSTON, Ill. (December 3, 2025) – Grace Sullivan posted her fifth straight game of 20-plus points as Northwestern (6-2) suffered a 74-62 setback to Kansas (7-2) this evening inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
How It Happened
Northwestern looked to take control early, taking off on a 7-0 run that included two Sullivan makes and a Xamiya Walton three to establish an 11-4 lead. Sullivan capped off a 10-point opening frame by draining a deep two in the closing seconds to stake the 'Cats to a 16-6 advantage.
Caroline Lau drove inside and converted with just under 90 seconds gone in the second quarter to reestablish an eight-point lead, 18-10. Kansas continued to chip away, closing back within three, 22-19, before a Tayla Thomas putback pushed the gap to five, 24-19. Thomas continued to battle, converting inside to make it 33-28, as Northwestern ultimately took a 34-30 edge into the locker room at halftime.
Kansas came out of the intermission firing, opening the second half on an 8-0 run to charge in front, 38-34. The Wildcats responded, tying the game at 40-40 on a Sullivan turnaround jumper before a Casey Harter trey vaulted Northwestern back on top, 43-42, at the 4:41 mark. Following another Sullivan score that trimmed Kansas' lead to 48-47, the Jayhawks closed the third quarter with an 8-0 surge, a run capped off by a Laia Conesa layup that gave the visitors a 56-47 advantage.
After another Sullivan make cut Kansas' lead to 56-49 early in the final frame, buckets from S'Mya Nichols and Elle Evans saw the Jayhawks extend the gap into double digits, 60-49. Northwestern would get no closer than nine the rest of the way, as Kansas dealt the 'Cats their first home defeat of 2025-26.
Gallery: (12-3-2025) Women's Basketball vs. Kansas
Inside The Box Score
- Sullivan led all scorers with 24 points (12-19 FGs), six rebounds, three steals, and a block.
- Sullivan, who is now averaging 22.8 points, has scored at least 20 points in six of Northwestern's eight games.
- Lau finished the night with a game-high 10 assists, her seventh outing with eight or more helpers this season.
- Lau is currently averaging 8.9 assists per game, a mark that leads all of Division I.
- Thomas flirted with her fourth double-double of the year, putting up nine points (3-9 FGs, 3-7 FTs) and 11 rebounds.
- Thomas has six games with 10-plus rebounds to her name in 2025-26.
- Regan Williams paced Kansas with 22 points (11-20 FGs).
Up Next
Northwestern opens Big Ten Conference play on Sunday, December 7 against No. 23 Ohio State. The 1 p.m. CT tip-off from inside Welsh-Ryan Arena will be televised on Big Ten Network.
How It Happened
Northwestern looked to take control early, taking off on a 7-0 run that included two Sullivan makes and a Xamiya Walton three to establish an 11-4 lead. Sullivan capped off a 10-point opening frame by draining a deep two in the closing seconds to stake the 'Cats to a 16-6 advantage.
Caroline Lau drove inside and converted with just under 90 seconds gone in the second quarter to reestablish an eight-point lead, 18-10. Kansas continued to chip away, closing back within three, 22-19, before a Tayla Thomas putback pushed the gap to five, 24-19. Thomas continued to battle, converting inside to make it 33-28, as Northwestern ultimately took a 34-30 edge into the locker room at halftime.
Kansas came out of the intermission firing, opening the second half on an 8-0 run to charge in front, 38-34. The Wildcats responded, tying the game at 40-40 on a Sullivan turnaround jumper before a Casey Harter trey vaulted Northwestern back on top, 43-42, at the 4:41 mark. Following another Sullivan score that trimmed Kansas' lead to 48-47, the Jayhawks closed the third quarter with an 8-0 surge, a run capped off by a Laia Conesa layup that gave the visitors a 56-47 advantage.
After another Sullivan make cut Kansas' lead to 56-49 early in the final frame, buckets from S'Mya Nichols and Elle Evans saw the Jayhawks extend the gap into double digits, 60-49. Northwestern would get no closer than nine the rest of the way, as Kansas dealt the 'Cats their first home defeat of 2025-26.
Inside The Box Score
- Sullivan led all scorers with 24 points (12-19 FGs), six rebounds, three steals, and a block.
- Sullivan, who is now averaging 22.8 points, has scored at least 20 points in six of Northwestern's eight games.
- Lau finished the night with a game-high 10 assists, her seventh outing with eight or more helpers this season.
- Lau is currently averaging 8.9 assists per game, a mark that leads all of Division I.
- Thomas flirted with her fourth double-double of the year, putting up nine points (3-9 FGs, 3-7 FTs) and 11 rebounds.
- Thomas has six games with 10-plus rebounds to her name in 2025-26.
- Regan Williams paced Kansas with 22 points (11-20 FGs).
Up Next
Northwestern opens Big Ten Conference play on Sunday, December 7 against No. 23 Ohio State. The 1 p.m. CT tip-off from inside Welsh-Ryan Arena will be televised on Big Ten Network.
Team Stats
KU
NU
FG%
.542
.385
3FG%
.417
.182
FT%
.714
.533
RB
32
33
TO
13
14
STL
8
5
Game Leaders
Pts
24
FGM
12
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
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