Dec. 1, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern women's basketball team fell to 1-6 as the University of Houston handed NU a 67-58 defeat. The game played at NU's Welsh-Ryan Arena and was the championship game of the 18th annual Roger L. White Invitational. Houston is the 10th different team to claim the tourney title since its inception in 1984.
Up 29-22 at halftime, the Wildcats came out of the break sluggish as the Cougars went on a 10-2 run and take their first lead of the game, 32-31.
The two teams would trade baskets for the next six minutes as NU tied the game at 42-42 with 10:20 remaining.
The Cougars would score the next three baskets as tournament MVP Chandi Jones had two steals and converted two fast break layups. Jones finished the game with 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. She averaged 22 points-per-game, helping Houston improve its overall record to 5-1.
Up 48-42 with 7:06 remaining in the game, the Cougars didn't allow NU to get any closer than four the rest of the way.
Freshman Sarah Kwasinski (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) missed her second consecutive double-double by one rebound as she scored 12 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Her 12 points marks the third time the Chicago native has led the team in points scored.
Melissa Culver (Littleton, Colo./Heritage) had nine assists in 26 minutes of work and chipped in five points. The freshman leads the team with 35 assists on the year.
Sophomore Michelle Zylstra (Huntington Beach, Calif./Edison) was the only other Wildcat to score in double figures as she scored 10 points in the loss.
Kwasinski and fellow newcomer, Suzanne Morrison (Franklin, Mich./Detroit Country Day) were named to the 2001 Roger L. White All-Tournament team for their play throughout the weekend. Kwasinski averaged 11.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and blocked two shots. Morrison averaged 11.5 points, including 15 against Hofstra, 8.5 rebounds and had two steals.
2001 Roger L. White All-Tournament Team
Tournament MVP-Chandi Jones (Houston)
Houston: Valerie Muoneke
Hofstra: Kimberely Coke
La Salle: Suzanne Keilty
Northwestern: Sarah Kwasinski, Suzanne Morrison