Dec. 21, 2005
DePaul Game Notes
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern welcomes intra-city rival No. 14/14 DePaul to Welsh-Ryan Arena for a 7:05 p.m. tip Thursday night. The Wildcats (4-5) are coming off a 77-60 victory over Saint Mary's last Saturday afternoon, while the Blue Demons disposed of Loyola, 96-48, Tuesday night at the Gentile Center.
"We are looking forward to the challenge of DePaul," head coach Beth Combs said. "That's what makes this game great; playing top-20 programs and laying it on the line to see what you have."
This will be Northwestern's final nonconference game before the 'Cats embark on the Big Ten section of the schedule next Thursday against Minnesota. NU has one final nonconference match up against UW-Milwaukee scheduled on Jan. 18.
Last Time Out...
Five Wildcats scored in double-figures, boosting Northwestern to a 77-60 victory over Saint Mary's Saturday afternoon at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Ifeoma Okonkwo led the way for the Wildcats, tallying game-highs in points and rebounds with 24 and 9, respectively. She also chipped in four assists and four steals. Freshman Erin Dickerson scored a career-best 14 points on 6-of-9 from the field, and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. She has now scored in double-figures the past two games.
Sara Stutz, coming off a career-performance last time out against Western Michigan, had another solid day, contributing 13 points, two assists and three rebounds.
Junior A.J. Glasauer also scored 13 points in addition to dishing out seven assists and taking away three steals. Melissa Miller scored 10 points and recorded five rebounds. Miller has scored double-figures in three of the past five games.
Scouting DePaul
The No. 14/14 Blue Demons enter Thursday's game with an 11-1 record, after dominating fellow Windy-City rival Loyola, 96-48 on Tuesday evening at the Gentile Center. It is the third time in program history that DePaul is off to an 11-1 record. The Blue Demons are led by senior forward Khara Smith, who is averaging a team-high double-double 16.5 ppg and 10.2 rpg. On the perimeter, guard Allie Quigley holds the team's second-best mark with 15.3 ppg.
The Series
Today's game is the 22nd time these two Chicagoland teams have taken to the hardwood. Northwestern holds a 12-9 advantage in the overall series. DePaul and Northwestern have met every year for the past 11 seasons. The series began back in the 1975-76 season.
Stutz Stepping it up
Sophomore Sara Stutz has stepped up her play over the past two games, registering double-figure performances in both outings, including the first double-double of her career against Western Michigan. Stutz is shooting an impressive .545 from the three-point line over the past five games. On the season, Stutz is hitting a team-leading .435 percent from three-point range. For complete game notes, click on the .pdf at the top of this release.