Dec. 3, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- After hosting three games in the last four days, the 'Cats get a change of scenery, traveling to South Carolina to match up with Clemson in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Thursday evening. Tip is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Entering the Game...
Northwestern (2-5) is looking to get over the hump, having lost the past two contests by a combined seven points. In both instances, the 'Cats have had significant leads late in the second half only to witness comebacks by both Missouri and Marquette. After Thursday's game, Northwestern will have played four games over a stretch of six days. Thankfully, the 'Cats get a 10-day hiatus for finals before resuming play against DePaul on Dec. 14.
This is the second year of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Last season, Northwestern hosted Wake Forest.
Scouting the Tigers
Clemson went 2-0 this past weekend, winning the Washington Husky Classic, defeating Kent State 68-53 and Washington 85-67. Guard Lele Hardy, who scored 44 points over the two-day span and currently leads the team with 19.0 ppg, earned the tournament MVP honors, as the team improved to 5-2. Clemson's other top scorer, sophomore forward Whitney Hood, earned all-tournament honors and is now averaging 10.0 ppg on the season. Hardy and Hood also lead the team in rebounds, with 8.1 and 5.0 respectively. The Tigers have won five out of their last six contests, falling only to Georgia State, 82-75, during that span.
The Series against Clemson
Northwestern holds a 1-0 record in their brief history with the Tigers, defeating them 70-66 in the 1997-98 season. Northwestern is 9-10 all-time against the ACC.
Finding the Diamond in the Rough
Though the final outcome wasn't what the Wildcats were looking for Tuesday night against Marquette, there were a myriad of positives. Consider:
Northwestern shot 57 percent from the field in the first half while holding the Golden Eagles to their lowest shooting effort of the season--28 percent.
A season-high four Wildcats scored in double-digits (Brittany Orban, 10pts.; Amy Jaeschke, 10 pts.; Meshia Reed, 10 pts.; Kristin Cartwright, 12 pts.).
The 'Cats notched their second-highest point total in a half with 34 in the opening frame.
After struggling from the line in the past three games, NU knocked-down 72 percent from the charity stripe (16-of-22).
Amy Jaeschke responded to MU's triple-teaming defense by setting up her teammates on the perimeter. The sophomore had three assists in the first half while doing her job on the defensive end, snatching a then-game-high six rebounds.
Most Recently...
The Wildcats are shooting 47 percent from the field over the past three games while holding their opponents to just 39. They have also attempted 16 more free throws than their opponents and are connecting on 70 percent of those opportunities.
For complete game notes, please click on the PDF above.