Northwestern University Athletics
Sunday, February 2
Evanston, Ill.
2 p.m. CT
Northwestern
7-13,0-9Big Ten
75
vs
89
Michigan State
18-4,8-3Big Ten
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan St. | 15 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 89 |
| Northwestern | 20 | 20 | 15 | 20 | 75 |
Photo by: Mary Grace Grabill/Northwestern Athletics
No. 16 Michigan State Fends Off Northwestern, 89-75
2/2/2025 6:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Williams records eighth double-double of season to lead group of five ‘Cats to score in double figures
EVANSTON, Ill. (February 2, 2025) – Taylor Williams posted her eighth double-double of 2024-25 as No. 16 Michigan State (18-4, 8-3 B1G) battled past Northwestern (7-13, 0-9 B1G) by a final count of 89-75 this afternoon inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
How It Happened
Caileigh Walsh received a friendly roll on a corner three to open the scoring for Northwestern, 3-1, just 39 seconds in. The 'Cats went to work inside as the frame wore on, with Williams displaying some fancy footwork to give the hosts a 12-11 edge. Melannie Daley drilled a transition jumper to push the lead to 14-11 before a Grace Sullivan turnaround bucket made it 16-13. Two Walsh makes from the charity stripe gave Northwestern its largest lead of the day, 20-13, as the 'Cats took a 20-15 lead into the second quarter.
Walsh finished inside off a feed from Kyla Jones with 30 seconds gone to reestablish a five-point lead, 22-17. Daley hit again from mid-range to push the margin to 28-23 at the 7:43 mark, but Michigan State answered with an 11-3 spurt to go in front, 34-31. Casey Harter provided a response, connecting on a corner three to tie the game at 34-34 with 2:14 remaining in the half. Williams spun through the lane and finished at the rim to give Northwestern a 40-38 lead in the waning seconds, but a Grace Vanslooten layup just before time expired sent the two teams to halftime in a 40-40 deadlock.
Williams continued to attack coming out of the intermission, with her second-chance bucket in the opening minute of the second half putting Northwestern back on top, 43-42. Michigan State looked to take control shortly after, rattling off nine unanswered points to charge out to a 51-43 lead and prompt a Wildcat timeout. A Daley floater snapped the Northwestern dry spell, cutting the gap to six, 51-45, before a conventional three-point play by Williams clawed the 'Cats within four, 52-48, near the midway point of the third quarter.
Michigan State took aim from distance shortly after, with treys from Nyla Hampton and Emma Shumate staking the Spartans to a 60-50 lead. Northwestern attempted to mount a rally, with another Harter three and a Williams score cutting the deficit to five, 60-55, but Michigan State responded with a 9-0 run that carried into the fourth quarter to ultimately put the game out of reach.
Gallery: (2-2-2025) Women's Basketball vs. #16 Michigan St
Inside The Box Score
- Williams made her presence felt on both ends of the floor, finishing with 18 points (6-10 FGs, 6-9 FTs), 12 rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
- Williams now has a team-high eight double-doubles to her name this season.
- Led by Williams' effort, Northwestern finished with a 37-26 edge in the rebounding battle.
- Walsh scored in double figures for the sixth time in seven games, putting up 12 points (4-10 FGs, 1-1 3FGs, 3-4 FTs), four rebounds, a block, and a steal.
- Harter (4-8 FGs, 3-3 3FGs) and Daley (5-10 FGs, 1-2 FTs) added 11 points apiece.
- Harter tied a career high with three made three-point field goals.
- Sullivan rounded out a quintet of 'Cats to score in double figures with 10 points (5-10 FGs), in addition to four rebounds and two steals.
- Vanslooten paced Michigan State with a game-high 20 points (8-11 FGs, 4-7 FTs).
Up Next
Northwestern ventures south on Thursday, January 6 to Champaign, Ill. for a 6 p.m. CT meeting against Illinois at State Farm Center.
How It Happened
Caileigh Walsh received a friendly roll on a corner three to open the scoring for Northwestern, 3-1, just 39 seconds in. The 'Cats went to work inside as the frame wore on, with Williams displaying some fancy footwork to give the hosts a 12-11 edge. Melannie Daley drilled a transition jumper to push the lead to 14-11 before a Grace Sullivan turnaround bucket made it 16-13. Two Walsh makes from the charity stripe gave Northwestern its largest lead of the day, 20-13, as the 'Cats took a 20-15 lead into the second quarter.
Walsh finished inside off a feed from Kyla Jones with 30 seconds gone to reestablish a five-point lead, 22-17. Daley hit again from mid-range to push the margin to 28-23 at the 7:43 mark, but Michigan State answered with an 11-3 spurt to go in front, 34-31. Casey Harter provided a response, connecting on a corner three to tie the game at 34-34 with 2:14 remaining in the half. Williams spun through the lane and finished at the rim to give Northwestern a 40-38 lead in the waning seconds, but a Grace Vanslooten layup just before time expired sent the two teams to halftime in a 40-40 deadlock.
Williams continued to attack coming out of the intermission, with her second-chance bucket in the opening minute of the second half putting Northwestern back on top, 43-42. Michigan State looked to take control shortly after, rattling off nine unanswered points to charge out to a 51-43 lead and prompt a Wildcat timeout. A Daley floater snapped the Northwestern dry spell, cutting the gap to six, 51-45, before a conventional three-point play by Williams clawed the 'Cats within four, 52-48, near the midway point of the third quarter.
Michigan State took aim from distance shortly after, with treys from Nyla Hampton and Emma Shumate staking the Spartans to a 60-50 lead. Northwestern attempted to mount a rally, with another Harter three and a Williams score cutting the deficit to five, 60-55, but Michigan State responded with a 9-0 run that carried into the fourth quarter to ultimately put the game out of reach.
Inside The Box Score
- Williams made her presence felt on both ends of the floor, finishing with 18 points (6-10 FGs, 6-9 FTs), 12 rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
- Williams now has a team-high eight double-doubles to her name this season.
- Led by Williams' effort, Northwestern finished with a 37-26 edge in the rebounding battle.
- Walsh scored in double figures for the sixth time in seven games, putting up 12 points (4-10 FGs, 1-1 3FGs, 3-4 FTs), four rebounds, a block, and a steal.
- Harter (4-8 FGs, 3-3 3FGs) and Daley (5-10 FGs, 1-2 FTs) added 11 points apiece.
- Harter tied a career high with three made three-point field goals.
- Sullivan rounded out a quintet of 'Cats to score in double figures with 10 points (5-10 FGs), in addition to four rebounds and two steals.
- Vanslooten paced Michigan State with a game-high 20 points (8-11 FGs, 4-7 FTs).
Up Next
Northwestern ventures south on Thursday, January 6 to Champaign, Ill. for a 6 p.m. CT meeting against Illinois at State Farm Center.
Team Stats
MSU
NU
FG%
.525
.500
3FG%
.440
.556
FT%
.762
.667
RB
26
37
TO
11
18
STL
14
9
Game Leaders
Pts
18
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF
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