Dec. 22, 2007
EVANSTON, Ill. --The Wildcats welcome intra-state rival Illinois to Welsh-Ryan Arena in the confernce debut for both squads. Northwestern is looking to rebound from a 102-64 loss to DePaul last Thursday at home while the Illini are coming off a 66-52 road victory against rival Missouri on Wednesday, Dec. 19. Northwestern enters the game with a 4-8 mark on the season, while Illinois is 8-3 under first-year head coach Jolette Law.
Scouting the Illini
Illinois travels to Evanston with an 8-3 record and is coming off a 66-52 road victory over longtime rival Missouri. Four Illini--Jenna Smith (19), Lori Bjork (15), Lacey Simpson (14) and Chelsea Gordon (11)--scored in double-figures as Illinois claimed its eighth victory of the season. Smith is one of the Big Ten's best, leading the league in rebounding (10.6 rpg) and averaging 19.8 ppg, second in the conference behind Wisconsin's Jolene Anderson. Senior Danyel Crutcher joins Smith in averaging double figures with 10.5 ppg. The Illini have faced only one ranked team so far this season, falling to No. 9 Oklahoma, 77-67, on Dec. 5. NU and Illinois share one common opponent in Illinois (Chicago). The Illini defeated the Flames, 69-57, while the Wildcats dropped a 53-45 decision to UIC on Nov. 14. Illinois is now under the direction of first-year head coach Jolette Law, a former assistant at Rutgers.
The Series Against Illinois
Northwestern holds a 31-26 lead in the all-time series against its downstate rival. The Illini have won the last 16 games against the 'Cats, including a 77-49 victory at Assembly Hall in the only meeting between the two squads last season. A.J. Glasauer and Sara Stutz led the way for NU with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Bibbs Shines Against Blue Demons
Senior Nadia Bibbs poured in a career-high 25 points in Northwestern's loss to DePaul last Thursday. Bibbs was 10-of-17 from the field and 4-of-6 from the free throw line. She also pulled down seven rebounds and distributed six assists. The Chicago, Ill., native leads the Wildcats in rebounding (7.3 rpg), assists (4.1 apg) and steals (1.9).
Regarding Amy
Freshman Amy Jaeschke made quite an entrance against Marquette on Dec. 17 in her first return to the court since sustaining a broken left hand in the season opener against Dayton on Nov. 9. The Wilmette, Ill., native contributed a team- and career-high 21 points in the Wildcats' 65-63 victory against the Golden Eagles. Jaeschke blocked the Krystal Ellis' running layup with just under 12 seconds remaining, thwarting the Golden Eagles' attempt at the go-ahead basket.
For complete game notes, please click on the PDF above.