Dec. 3, 2004
Mildred and Roger L. White Invitational Notes in PDF Format
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Welsh-Ryan Arena is the site for the 21st annual Mildred and Roger L. White Invitational, a tournament traditionally showcasing some of the best college programs in the nation. This year's event is no different as the Wildcats welcome No. 24 Houston and Virginia to Evanston for a round-robin format event from Dec. 3-5.
Northwestern has won 10 of the 20 tournaments played, with its last title coming in 2002. The Wildcats finished in second position last year after falling to Eastern Michigan in the championship game. Houston won the title in 2001.
This year will be the first with only three teams paticipating in the Invitational. NU will open up at 7 p.m. Friday against Houston. The second game will tip at 1 p.m. Saturday and feature Virginia and Houston; NU faces UVa at 1 p.m. Sunday in the final game.
Sunday's tilt will be broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio channel 187.
Northwestern enters the weekend with a 1-4 overall record after falling just short of Kentucky, 70-63, Wednesday. Junior Ifeoma Okonkwo (Spring, Texas/Klein Oak) matched her career high with 16 points in the game while a pair of freshmen, Melissa Miller (Bloomington, Minn./The Breck School) and Kelly Rae Finley (Edina, Minn./The Breck School), each grabbed seven boards to pace NU.
Houston is a perfect 6-0 coming into the Invitational. After winning their first five games at home, the Cougars took to the road and upset No. 14 Purdue, 63-60, Tuesday. Following its win over the Boilermakers, Houston jumped into the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll at No. 24.
Virginia (4-2) enters the weekend fresh off a 67-58 victory over the Liberty Flames.