Dec. 2, 2006
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern fell to Northern Illinois, 70-54, in the championship game of the Mildred and Roger L. White Invitational Saturday afternoon at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Senior A.J. Glasauer (Freiburg, Germany/Theodor-Heuss Gymnasium) and Sara Stutz (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) scored in double-figures for the 'Cats.
"We're obviously very disappointed in our outcome today, not necessarily the score of the game, but I think out effort, our intensity, and our heart weren't there," head coach Beth Combs said. "If we can learn from this weekend, we'll be okay when it's all said and done. We got beat by a very good team that just wanted it more tonight."
Northwestern scored the first bucket of the game, but the Huskies jumped out to an early 10-point lead behind seven points from Stephanie Raymond. It seemed like the Wildcats could not buy a basket in the first half, shooting just 30 percent in the opening stanza.
NIU build a 21-8 advantage and kept piling on the points, connecting on six treys, including three from Raymond.
The Huskies led 36-18 at the half. Stutz led NU with seven nine points.
The Wildcats are no strangers to being down by a considerable amount in the first half, having mounted a courageous comeback against Mississippi a week ago after being down by double-digits. This time, however, Northern Illinois remained in control.
Northwestern closed to within 13, it's lowest differential of the half, at the 3:49 mark, but the Huskies burned some clock to close out the game.
Stutz finished with 13 points, four rebounds and four assists. Glasauer turned in a 15-point, five assist performance to pace NU. Freshman Kaitlin McInerney (Oak Brook, Ill./Benet Academy) nearly hit double-figures with nine points and a team-leading six rebounds. Melissa Miller (Bloominton, Minn./The Breck School) also grabbed six board and recorded eight points.
Stutz and Glasauer represented Northwestern on the 2006 Mildred and Roger L. White All-Tournament team. Shelly Bellman of Cincinnati, Stephanie Raymond and Whitney Lowe from NIU were also named to the All-Tournament team. Raymond was tabbed the MVP of the event.
"We didn't rely on each other today," Combs said. "I'm very, very disappointed with the loss but hopefully we can learn from it and we'll bounce back in another week."
Northwestern takes the court at 2 p.m. on Dec. 10 when it hosts Missouri. The 'Cats have this week off from action to focus on finals.