Nov. 14, 2007
CHICAGO --Northwestern hung around throughout the game, but Illinois-Chicago proved to be too much, defeating the Wildcats 53-45 Wednesday night at the UIC Pavilion. Sophomore Kaitlin McInerney (Oak Brook, Ill./Benet Academy) led the way for NU, recording her second double-double of the season -- 11 points and 11 rebounds. Jenny Eckhart (Libertyville, Ill./Mt. Carmel/Syracuse) chipped in 11 points while senior Sara Stutz (Glenbrook, Ill./Glenview South) contributed nine.
"Obviously, we are not happy with the way we played," head coach Beth Combs said. "We didn't come out and play 40 minutes. We needed to play like we did that last minute the whole game. But it's early in the season and we'll head out on the floor tomorrow and get back to work."
Northwestern took an early four-point lead before Illinois-Chicago scored 12 unanswered points to move ahead 12-4 with 13 minutes remaining. UIC continued to increase its lead, holding a 10-point advantage with 3:43 remaining. But the Wildcats put together a 5-0 run to slash the difference in half by the break. The two teams combined for 30 turnovers and shot 32 percent (20-of-61) from the field. Eckhart led the way for the 'Cats with five first-half points. Northwestern out-rebounded the Flames 25-18 in the frame.
Just when Northwestern would make a run, UIC answered with a steal or score of its own. But the Wildcats hung around, refusing to let the lead exceed 14 points.
Stutz sparked NU with 3:37 remaining, knocking down a three-pointer from the corner. McInerney was fouled and hit the front-end of her two free throws. Savannah Stedman's (Ortonville, Mich./Brandon) layup on the miss cut the lead to eight with just under three minutes remaining.
The Wildcat defense held UIC scoreless until UIC's Jessica Miller hit a foul shot with 1:25 left, ending a 9-0 Northwestern run, and putting the Flames back in front by six. Eckhart buried a trey with 1:41 left to pull Northwestern within five points. In the final minute, Northwestern was forced to foul and UIC made 8-of-10 from the line to seal the victory.
Senior Nadia Bibbs (Chicago, Ill./Hillcrest) matched McInerney's rebound total with 11 and also added a team-high four assists.
The Wildcats are next in action Wednesday, Nov. 21 when they travel to Atlanta to face ACC foe Georgia Tech. Tip is set for 6 p.m. CT.