Feb. 2, 2012
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Crisler Center)
Score: Michigan 79, Northwestern 68
Records: NU (13-10, 3-7 Big Ten), Michigan (17-6, 6-4 Big Ten)
Next NU Event: Thursday, Feb. 9 -- at Michigan State (East Lansing, Mich.), 5 p.m. CT
ANN ARBOR, Mich.-- Northwestern mounted a valiant second-half effort -- coming all the way back from a 16-point first-half deficit to tie the game -- but couldn't overtake Michigan, falling 79-68 at the Crisler Center Thursday night. Morgan Jones paced NU with 25 points -- two shy of her career-high -- while Dannielle Diamant turned in her second-straight 20-point performance for the visitors.
"I'm really proud of the way we battled back," head coach Joe McKeown said after the game. "We tied it there in the second half, but got in foul trouble, which made it difficult. I thought we had them on their heels, but we broke down defensively there in the second half."
Northwestern (13-10, 3-7) held a slim 9-8 lead early on, thanks to seven points from Diamant, but the Wolverines went on a 18-2 run to take a 26-11 edge at the seven minute mark. Michigan continued to build its cushion, eventually taking a 34-23 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Morgan Jones paced NU with nine first-half points, while Diamant added seven. All but one Wolverine who played found the scoring column en route to a 51 percent field goal-shooting effort.
Northwestern responded to the adversity coming out of the break with Diamant and Morgan Jones leading an 11-5 run in the first five minutes to pull the 'Cats to within 39-34.
Four minutes later, a three-pointer from Diamant backed by a sweet layup in transition by Karly Roser capped off a 10-2 run and deadlocked the game at 44. Michigan responded with an 8-3 spurt to take a 52-46 advantage.
Northwestern continued to come at the hosts to stay within arms reach until a three-point play by Morgan Jones pulled the 'Cats to within five, 60-55, with 6:21 remaining. The teams then traded three-point field goals before Michigan once again answered with an 8-0 run to extend the lead to 14 at the 3:20 mark.
Two more free throws from Morgan Jones and a Wolverine turnover that was parlayed into a lay-in by Roser once again pulled NU within striking distance, 72-62, with 2:45 remaining.
Morgan Jones brought NU to within single-digits on two occasions over the next three minutes, but the Wildcats were without any timeouts and could not mount a comeback.
Roser finished with 10 points and six assists in the loss while Michigan was led in the scoring column by Rachel Sheffer's 17 points.
Northwestern enjoys a bye this weekend, before returning to the state of Michigan for a 5 p.m CT showdown in East Lansing against the Spartans. The game will be carried live on the Big Ten Network.
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