Feb. 11, 2010
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Junior Amy Jaeschke scored 25 points, her 20th double-digit performance of the season, but it was not enough as Northwestern dropped a 81-50 decision to Illinois at Assembly Hall.
Illinois was close to unstoppable in the first stanza, shooting 76 percent from the field through the first 10 minutes of the game, led by Jenna Smith who had 20 of the Orange and Blue's first 30 points during that span. In total, Smith--the conference's third-leading scorer--was 11-of-12 from the field and 5-of-6 from three-point range in the first half. As a team, Illinois, which averages 61.2 ppg, tallied 41 first-half points and cooled down to shoot 66.7 percent from the field.
Jaeschke led the Wildcats with 11 points at intermission.
Northwestern (14-10, 5-8) came out more aggressively in the second half, matching Illinois' offensive production in the early minutes, but could not overcome the Illini's first frame offensive juggernaut.
The Wildcats return to action Sunday when they travel to Michigan State for a 1:30 CT contest, which will be carried live on the Big Ten Network.