The Wildcats are looking for their fourth-straight victory Saturday when they face Chicago State at 4 p.m.The Wildcats are looking for their fourth-straight victory Saturday when they face Chicago State at 4 p.m.

'Cats Look to Win Fourth-Straight; Face Chicago State Saturday

Dec. 18, 2009

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern (RV/RV) enters Saturday's game against Chicago State on a three-game win streak, having most recently disposed of Arkansas, 67-55, Thursday at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats have now won four out of their last five games; a one-point loss to Clemson being the only flaw. Following the battle with Chicago State, Northwestern tangles with Chicagoland rival Loyola Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Fans wishing to stay up to date on the action in Saturday's game can do so by following the username @NU_sportsLIVE on Twitter. The game will be streamed live on NUsports.com.

Last time out...
Beth Marshall exploded for a career-best 24 points on 8-of-10 from three-point land to lead Northwestern to a 67-55 victory over SEC rival Arkansas Thursday in front of a season-high 4,189 fans at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Amy Jaeschke chipped in 16 points while Kristin Cartwright dished out a career-best nine assists. With the victory --NU's eighth of the season--the Wildcats (8-2, 1-0) have now surpassed their win total from all of last season. It is NU's best start since the 1995-96 campaign.

Opponent profile
Chicago State Cougars
• 2009-10 Record: 4-8
• Series History: 2-1, Chicago State
• Last Meeting: 2008, 76-69, Chicago State
• Chicago State enters Saturday's game with a 4-8 record. The Cougars have dropped their last two games, including a 62-55 loss to Akron Thursday. Courtney Waldon led Chicago State with 13 points in the loss.
• Sisters Courtney and Alyssa Waldon pace the team offensively, scoring 12.9 and 12.0 ppg, respectively. Elana Wroten is the squad's leading rebounder with 5.3 caroms per contest.
• Alyssa Waldon earned Great West Conference Player of the Week honors last week while guiding the team to a 2-2 record over seven days.
• The Cougars are averaging 10.3 steals per game but are averaging 21.2 miscues per outing.
• Chicago State is mentored by Angea Jackson, who is now in her sixth season as head coach.

Last Time Against Chicago State...
Sophomore Amy Jaeschke recorded her first double-double of the season, pouring in 21 points and grabbing a career-best 14 boards, but it was not enough as Chicago State bested the Wildcats 76-69 at the Jones Convocation Center in the 2008-09 season-opener on Nov. 9.

Fellow sophomore Meshia Reed and freshman Brittany Orban joined Jaeschke in double figures, contributing 12 points each.

'Cats Off To Best Start Since 1995-96 Season
With a 67-55 victory over Arkansas on Thursday, Dec. 17, Northwestern recorded its eighth win of the season, which surpasses its win total from all of last season (7-23). Additionally, the Wildcats are off to their best start since the 1995-96 campaign when they went 9-1 through their first 10 games.

Marshall's Performance One For The Books
Beth Marshall's eight three-pointers against Arkansas on Thursday (12.17.09) eclipsed several Northwestern and Big Ten records. She now tops NU's single-game three-pointers made list and is tied for sixth in the Wildcats' all-time single game three-point percentage list (80 percent with a min. 4 made per game). On the conference level, her eight three-point makes were the most by any Big Ten player this season and registers sixth on the all-time single-game three pointers made chart. The last time a Big Ten player made eight triples in a game was in 2006.

For complete game notes, please click on the PDF above.