Northwestern Rings In 2026 Thursday At Oregon

Thursday, January 1

Eugene, Ore.

4 p.m. CT

Northwestern

Oregon

Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics

Northwestern Rings In 2026 Thursday At Oregon

12/31/2025 1:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Wildcats close stretch of four of five games away from home

EVANSTON, Ill. (December 31, 2025) – Northwestern (6-7, 0-2 B1G) wraps up a stretch of four of five games away from home on Thursday afternoon as it closes out a two-game road swing through the Pacific Northwest with a New Year's Day matinee against Oregon. Tip-off from inside Matthew Knight Arena is slated for 4 p.m. CT.

LAST TIME OUT
Grace Sullivan posted her third game of 30-plus points, but host Washington knocked down 16 three-point field goals as it raced past Northwestern by a final score of 94-73 this past Monday at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Wash. Sullivan, who made her return to the Northwestern lineup after sustaining an injury against Loyola Chicago on December 18, finished 11-of-18 from the field and 8-of-10 from the free throw line. She also ripped down a team-high eight rebounds and notched a pair of blocks.

Xamiya Walton came off the bench to score 12 points, knocking down a pair of threes, while Tayla Thomas added 11 points, reaching double figures in scoring for a third consecutive contest. Casey Harter, who, like Sullivan, made her return to the Wildcat starting five, rounded out a quartet of Wildcats to score in double figures with 10 points.

Caroline Lau continued to strengthen her grip on the national lead in assists, dishing out 10 helpers to go along with five points, six rebounds, and two steals.

SCOUTING OREGON
Oregon (12-3, 0-2 B1G) gave No. 6 Michigan all it could handle on Monday night at Matthew Knight Arena, dropping a heartbreaking 92-87 decision to the Wolverines in double overtime. The defeat was the Ducks' first on their home floor in 2025-26.

Now in his 12th season leading the Ducks, head coach Kelly Graves piloted Oregon to the sixth NCAA Tournament berth of his tenure in 2024-25, as the Ducks finished 20-12 overall and 10-8 in Big Ten Conference play.

Katie Fiso is enjoying a breakout sophomore campaign, averaging a team-best 15.2 points and 7.3 assists, a latter mark which ranks second in the Big Ten. Fiso, who tied a career-high with 24 points in the Ducks' clash with Michigan, has a league-high six double-doubles to her name. After spending the previous two seasons at Fresno State, Mia Jacobs has established herself as one of the Big Ten's top newcomers, chipping in 14.4 points per game. Jacobs has scored in double figures in 12 contests, surpassing the 20-point mark on four occasions.

SERIES STUFF
Thursday's tilt will serve as the fifth all-time meeting between Northwestern and Oregon on the hardwood in women's basketball. Following an 84-57 victory by the 'Cats in the first-ever matchup during the 1989-90 season, the Ducks have rattled off three straight victories to take a 3-1 (.750) edge in the series.

In the matchup between the two teams last season at Welsh-Ryan Arena, Melannie Daley led all scorers with 17 points, pacing a trio of 'Cats in double figures, as Oregon defeated Northwestern, 85-65, on December 31, 2024.

UP NEXT
The Wildcats return to the friendly confines of Welsh-Ryan Arena on Monday, January 5 for a 7:30 p.m. CT clash with Iowa that will be televised on Big Ten Network.