Jan. 27, 2011
Site: Minneapolis, Minn. (Williams Arena)
Score: Minnesota 63, Northwestern 58
Records: NU (14-7, 3-5 Big Ten), Minnesota (9-12, 1-7 Big Ten)
Next NU Event: Sunday, Jan. 30 -- vs. Wisconsin (Welsh-Ryan Arena), 2 p.m.
Minnesota 63, Northwestern 58 -- Box Score 
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- It was a tightly contested game that saw eight lead changes and five ties, but at the final horn, Northwestern found itself on the short end of a 63-58 decision against Minnesota at Williams Arena Thursday night. Senior Amy Jaeschke scored a game-high 26 points and added four blocks.
"Minnesota out-hustled us tonight," head coach Joe McKeown said after the game. "They got loose balls and out-hustled us. When you give up 21 offensive rebounds, I'm not sure you deserve to win."
Entering the game, Northwestern knew defense would be a decisive factor. And it was from that defensive effort several offensive opportunities were born. After falling behind by seven at the 11:03 mark, the Wildcats re-committed on the defensive end, forcing three turnovers and a shot-clock violation over the next three minutes to hold Minnesota scoreless. Meanwhile, NU went on a 9-0 run, capped off by a three-pointer from Jaeschke to give the 'Cats their first lead of the game, 19-17, at the eight-minute mark.
Northwestern never relinquished the upper hand the rest of the half, taking a 31-27 lead into the break. Jaeschke led all scorers with 15 points.
The tables were turned in the second half, however, as Minnesota held the Wildcats scoreless through the first six minutes of the stanza while authoring an 8-0 run to take a 35-31 lead. But Northwestern went on a 5-0 lead to once again take the upper hand, 36-35, with 12 minutes to play.
The Gophers reached the bonus halfway through the second half and built a 55-44 lead with 3:27 remaining. But Northwestern refused to fade away, mounting an 8-1 run, to make it a four-point game, 56-52, with two minutes on the clock.
Minnesota maintained at least a four-point edge until a pair of free throws by Jaeschke made it a one-possession game, 60-58, with 30 seconds remaining, and the Wildcats sent Minnesota to the line with 14 ticks left. The Gophers hit one free throw, making it a three-point game, 61-58. But a 3-point attempt to the tie the score from sophomore Dannielle Diamant hit off the front iron and Minnesota grabbed the rebound to secure the Gopher victory.
Northwestern returns to action at 2 p.m. Sunday when it welcomes Wisconsin to Welsh-Ryan Arena. The game will be streamed live on bigtennetwork.com.
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