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Nov. 30, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - Welsh-Ryan Arena will be the site for the 18th annual Roger L. White Invitational. The tournament, formerly known as the Wildcat Invitational, showcases some of the best collegiate programs nationwide. This year's tournament features NU, Hofstra, Houston and La Salle.
NU has won nine of the 17 previous tournaments while St. Bonaventure, Louisville, Nebraska, Stanford, James Madison, Old Dominion, Miami (Ohio) and UNLV have also claimed the title.
NU has not seen the winner's podium since 1998, when the Wildcats defeated Ohio University (94-59) and Western Kentucky (65-59) in coach Don Perelli's last season at the helm.
Northwestern comes into the game without its leading scorer, Emily Butler, who is sidelined with a knee injury. The junior guard sustained the right knee ailment against the University of Miami (Fla.) and is waiting for MRI results.
With Butler on the bench, NU needs to find production from other sources. Sophomore Michelle Zylstra, who touched Miami for 17 and is third on the team in scoring (6.8), needs to help pick up the slack along with junior forward Natalie Will. Will, who is first off the bench, is a three-point threat and averages 4.2 points per game.
A pair of freshmen have been thrown right in to the mix this season, as 6-5 center Sarah Kwasinski and 6-1 forward Suzanne Morrison each have taken on large roles. Kwasinski is averaging 9.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game while Morrison chips in 5.8 points and 4.4 boards per contest.
The point guard position has been a shaky spot for NU, as freshmen Melissa Culver and Samantha McComb each have played significant minutes. Culver is tops in assists (22) while McComb has come on strong of late.
Junior shooting guard Anya Walker needs to find her three-point touch as NU is averaging just 57.6 points per game.
Tournament Schedule
Nov. 30
Game 1 -- Northwestern vs. Hofstra, 6 p.m.
Game 2 -- La Salle vs. Houston, 8 p.m.
Dec. 1
Game 1 -- Consolation Game, 6 p.m.
Game 2 -- Championship Game, 8 p.m.