Feb. 15, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Freshman Brittany Orban (North Canton, Ohio/Hoover) poured in a personal-best 25 points to lead Northwestern against No. 18/13 Ohio State Sunday afternoon in the North Canton, Ohio, native's first homecoming of her career. With the 81-55 win, the perennial Top-25 Buckeyes notched their 20th victory of the season.
After looking off beat in its first two trips down the court thanks to Northwestern's defense, Ohio State settled in to shoot 83.3 percent through the next four minutes to jump out to an 11-4 advantage. The Bucks continued to build their lead over the next 16 minutes, using a 46 percent first-half shooting effort to build take a 39-17 lead into the locker room. Orban led the 'Cats at the break with six points.
Northwestern played even with Ohio State to open the second half, matching their baskets and giving the game a decidedly different feel. The two teams combined for nine baskets in the first five minutes.
The Wildcats forced 11 second-half Buckeye turnovers and nearly outscored Ohio State in the second frame, courtesy of Orban's 19 points.
Orban's 25 points came on a 5-of-9 effort from the field and a perfect 13-of-13 from the charity stripe. She also knocked down 2-of-3 from beyond the arc while not committing a turnover. Her seven rebounds was a Wildcat-high for the game and tied a career-high as well.
The Wildcats are next in action on Thursday, Feb. 19 when they host Indiana in a 7 p.m. contest at Welsh-Ryan Arena.