Nov. 30, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern's women's basketball team notched its first win of the 2001-2002 season Friday night with a 61-42 victory over Hofstra in the first round of the Roger L. White Invitational.
The 'Cats (1-5) trailed 14-11 with 10:23 left in the first half, but reeled off the game's next 28 points to open up a decisive lead. Northwestern held the Pride (3-4) scoreless for almost 14 minutes until Hofstra's Jen Brickey converted a layup with 15:26 to play.
The 'Cats got strong performances from a host of first-year players in the win. Freshman guard Suzanne Morrison (Franklin Mich./Detroit Country Day) paced NU with 15 points and 10 rebounds, both career highs. The double-double is the first of Morrison's young career. Classmate Sarah Kwasinski (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) turned in another stellar effort, with 10 points to go along with 10 rebounds for her second collegiate double-double. Anya Walker (Beloit, Wis./Beloit Memorial), making her first start as a Wildcat, set a career high with 10 points as well.
Freshman point guard Melissa Culver (Littleton, Colo./Heritage) dished out eight assists and made good on all four of her free throw attempts in just her second career start.
Hofstra forward Kimberley Coke led all scorers with 18 points, including 14 after the intermission.
Northwestern's next action will come tomorrow evening when they face the winner of the LaSalle/Houston game. Tip time is set for 8 p.m.