Nov. 13, 2007
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After opening the season at the Women's Sports Foundation Challenge in Albuquerque, N.M., the Wildcats return to Chicago to battle intra-city rival Illinois-Chicago at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening. Northwestern enters the contest with a 1-2 mark, defeating Dayton but falling to Western Michigan and New Mexico, while the Flames lost their season-opener against Central Michigan. The broadcast will be video streamed live on the Horizon League Network at www.horizonleaguenetwork.tv.
"Playing local teams always brings a heightened energy as both teams are always looking for `braggin' rights,' head coach Beth Combs said. "We are looking forward to stepping back on the floor and playing better than the day before."
Junior transfer Ellen Jaeschke (Cary, Ill./Cary-Grove) leads the 'Cats with 12.0 ppg and 6.3 rpg. Jaeschke has stepped up her game in the absence of her cousin, Amy, who broke her hand in the season-opening win against Dayton. Jaeschke was named to the All-Tournament team for her outstanding effort throughout the event, highlighted by a season-high 19-point performance against Western Michigan in the second game of the Challenge. Over the three games, the Cary, Ill., native recorded 10 blocks and pulled down 19 boards.
Scouting the Flames
UIC enters the 2007-08 campaign following one of the best years in program history. Last season, the Flames broke a school record for the most wins (19) in a season, the streak for consecutive wins (11) and made their first postseason appearance, reaching the first round of the WNIT. Two starters--Nicole Grobbecker and Jessie Miller-- are back hoping to transfer last year's success to this year's campaign.
The Flames suffered a five-point road loss to Central Michigan in their only game of the 2007-08 season last Friday, Nov. 9. Miller, a member of last year's All-Horizon League Newcomer squad, led the way for Illinois-Chicago, scoring 19 points on 7-for-12 from the field.
The Series with the Flames
The Wildcats hold a 16-5 advantage in the all-time series against Illinois-Chicago. Northwestern has won the past two contests, and 16 out of the last 18 games. In 2006, the 'Cats claimed a 72-57 decision in the friendly confines of Welsh-Ryan Arena. Four Wildcats reached double-figures in A.J. Glasauer (16), Kristin Cartwright (10), Melissa Miller (13) and Kaitlin McInerney (10). Miller notched a double-double, pulling down a game-high 13 caroms.
Last Time Out...
After matching each other's three-pointers to open the game, New Mexico (--/RV) jumped out to a 13-5 lead and never looked back, besting the Wildcats, 67-38 Sunday afternoon in the final game of the Women's Sports Foundation Challenge in Albuquerque, N.M. Northwestern is now 1-2 on the season.
The first half was sloppy for both teams, as they turned the ball over a combined 14 times and shot under 36 percent from the field. Senior Nadia Bibbs (Chicago, Ill./Hillcrest) led the Wildcats at half with seven points.
Playing in front of a boisterous home crowd of 7,489, New Mexico continued its offensive assault, scoring 30 second-half points to seal the win.
Bibbs was the high scorer for Northwestern with 10 points while Sara Stutz led the way for the Wildcats on the glass with five boards. Ellen Jaeschke (Cary, Ill./Cary-Grove/Air Force) added 8 points.
Jaeschke was named to the All-Tournament team.