Dec. 18, 2003
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EVANSTON, Ill. - After a thrilling 60-57 victory over West Virginia on Tuesday, the Northwestern Wildcats (4-3) are looking for their best start since the 1998-99 season when the 'Cats were 5-3 through their first eight games. Standing in their way is the University of Illinois-Chicago, a team that is looking to snap a two-game skid at the hands of two other Illinois teams--DePaul and Illinois State.
Despite a game-high 26 points from sophomore point guard Chrissy Dizon, UIC dropped a 74-64 decision at the hands of Illinois State on Sunday afternoon at Redbird Arena. Junior forward Dejeanette Flournoy recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 11 points and 23 rebounds. Illinois State guard Katie Donovan led four Redbirds 'in double-figures with 18 points.
The game vs. UIC is the second of three games to be played this week as the Wildcats leave on Friday for Saturday's contest at Southern Illinois. After a short holiday break, the 'Cats will travel to sunny California for the Loyola Marymount Tournament. Duke and Hampton are the other teams in the field of four.
Northwestern came out on top Tuesday thanks to a big effort by sophomore Ifeoma Okonkwo. The Texas native recorded her first career double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds to lead the 'Cats over the visiting Mountaineers. Okonkwo set a new career-high for rebounds vs. WVU and was responsible for eight of NU's last 12 points as well as all but two total rebounds.
Junior Melissa Culver jump-started NU in the second half to regain a lost lead and ended the game with 10 points, good enough for second on the team, while leading the Wildcats with two each in three's and steals. Sarah Kwasinski had eight points and nine rebounds. Junior Maria McCarthy also added a career-high seven points in the contest.
NU's German imports, Alex Mueller and A.J. Glasauer, have added a spark to the Wildcat lineup as key reserves. Glasauer scored a career-high seven points vs. West Virginia while playing the most minutes since the season-opener vs. Creighton. Mueller is currently fifth on the team in scoring, averaging 6.3 ppg.