Nov. 29, 2006
Box Score
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Four Wildcats scored in double-figures on the way to a 72-57 victory against Illinois-Chicago Wednesday evening at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Junior Melissa Miller (Bloomington, Minn.) posted the 'Cats' (5-1) first double-double of the season, recording 13 points while pulling down 13 boards.
"I'm pleased with what we did and I'll take a win any way we can get it," head coach Beth Combs said. "This is a tough week for us, but I'm proud of our effort. We were able to fight through some things. We weren't that sharp, but this is the sign of a good team that we are able to make some good things happen when we need to."
The Flames jumped out to a 17-6 lead to open the game but Northwestern used a true team effort to claw back. The Wildcats went on a 15-3 run at the five-minute mark to take a 21-20 lead, thanks to baskets by all five starters.
The Wildcats held UIC to just two buckets in the last five minutes while continuing to pour in the points, ending the half on a 13-4 run. Northwestern led 34-24 at the break.
Senior A.J. Glasauer (Frieburg, Germany/Theodor-Heuss Gymnasium) led NU at the half with nine of her game-high 16 points.
The Wildcats inflated the lead to 15 points at the 15-minute mark and withstood mini-spurts by the Flames throughout the second half. Glasauer once again took the lead for NU, recording seven points while also dishing out four assists and recording two snatches.
Freshman Kaitlin McInerney (Oak Brook, Ill./Benet Academy) joined Miller and Glasauer in double-figures, shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the field for 10 points. Sophomore Kristin Cartwright (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) also scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Northwestern continued to play to its strengths, shooting nearly 50 percent from the field, while out-rebounding the Flames 46-36. The stingy Wildcat defense forced 18 turnovers while taking away a season-high 10 steals.
The Wildcats are next in action at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 when they take on Princeton in the Mildred and Roger L. White Invitational. Northwestern is the second game on Friday, following a 6 p.m. Cincinnati vs. Northern Illinois matchup. The consolation game will be played at 2 p.m. the following afternoon, with the championship set for approximately 4:30 p.m. For more information, please click on the Tournament link on the upper right-hand column of the women's basketball home page.
to watch video highlights of the game.
to listen to Coach Combs talk about the 'Cats' 5-1 start.
to listen to Coach Combs on the play of Miller and McInerney
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