| Northwestern (19-6, 9-5 B1G) vs. No. 21/20 Nebraska (18-7, 8-6 B1G) |
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| Date | Wednesday, Feb. 18 | 7:00 p.m. |
| Location | Welsh-Ryan Arena | Evanston, Ill. |
| Watch Live | BTN Plus on BTN2GO |
| Listen Live | WNUR - 89.3 FM |
| Live Stats | GameTracker |
| Preview Interviews | | |
| Social Media | @nuwbball  | Northwestern Women's Basketball  | @NUCATS_WBB  |
| Game Notes (PDF) |
Northwestern | Nebraska |
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern will attempt to extend its current five-game winning streak Wednesday evening when it welcomes No. 21/20 Nebraska to Welsh-Ryan Arena for a highly-anticipated Big Ten battle.
PASS THE BUTTER, COFFEY'S ON A ROLL
Northwestern's Nia Coffey has been named to the Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll three consecutive times after receiving the recognition once again on Monday. The sophomore has turned in five consecutive double-doubles and is averaging 19.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.5 blocks per game over the last six contests. She scored 25 points and added 11 rebounds, three blocks and three steals last time out at Michigan, where she hit the game-winning shot with 4.9 seconds left. Coffey currently ranks eighth in the Big Ten in rebounding (9.0) and 11th in scoring (15.7). Her 12 double-doubles rank sixth in the conference and 22nd in the NCAA.
COMEBACK 'CATS
Northwestern has been in good shape with the lead at halftime this season. The Wildcats are 17-1 when leading at the break, but in the last two games they've shown the ability to come from behind as well. Down by seven at the half, NU trailed Purdue by as many as 14 points in the first half on Feb. 11 before rallying to win by eight in overtime. Michigan led Northwestern by as many as 13 points in the opening half and 10 at the intermission, but the 'Cats got a left-handed layup from Nia Coffey with 4.9 seconds left to secure their fifth consecutive win. The victory over U-M was the second this season for Northwestern when it trailed after 20 minutes of play.
ROAD WARRIORS
The Wildcats secured their 10th win of the season away from home Saturday afternoon at the Crisler Center against Michigan. The 1996-97 Northwestern squad was the last to win as many games away from Welsh-Ryan Arena, and also the last to accept a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Notably, Northwestern won against Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich., on Dec. 28, for the first time since March 5, 1993, and in West Lafayette, Ind., for the first time since Dec. 29, 1996. This season the Wildcats also won in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Saturday for the first time since Dec. 28, 2009.
START FAST & FINISH STRONG
Northwestern has won 19 games, in large part, by jumping ahead early. The Wildcats have scored 890 first-half points this season, an average of 35.6 per game. The 'Cats have scored 40 points or more in the first half seven times, most recently against Iowa on Jan. 29 (41). On the other side, opponents are averaging just 28.6 points during the first 20 minutes this season, while turning the ball over an average of 10.3 times during the first period alone. Five times this season the opposition has committed at least 15 turnovers in the first half, most recently Wisconsin at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Jan. 1 (17). The Wildcats are 17-1 when leading at the half this season.
DOUBLE-OVERTIME DELIGHT
The Wildcats played in - and won - their first double overtime game in seven seasons under head coach Joe McKeown at No. 18/18 DePaul on Nov. 29, 2014. Northwestern is 4-2 all-time in OT games under McKeown with a four-game winning streak dating back to Feb. 18, 2010 at Indiana. The tilt against the Blue Demons was Northwestern's longest game since a 78-77 triple-overtime triumph against another crosstown rival, UIC, on Dec. 18, 2003.
SCOUTING NEBRASKA
Overall Record: 18-7, 8-6 Big Ten
All-Time Series Record: Nebraska leads, 7-3
Notable: After recently snapping a three-game slide with a win over Wisconsin on Sunday, Nebraska comes into Welsh-Ryan Arena for the sixth meeting between the two schools as conference foes. The Huskers have three players averaging in double figures offensively, though their leading scorer Rachel Theriot (16.5 ppg) has missed the last four games with an ankle injury. Senior Emily Cady is one of six players in the Big Ten who is currently averaging a double-double behind 12 ppg and 10.2 rpg.
UP NEXT Northwestern will travel to Madison, Wis. Sunday for the final road game of the season against the Wisconsin Badgers. The Wildcats won the first meeting between the two teams this season, 68-46, on New Year's Day in Evanston. Five players scored in double figures for the Wildcats, led by Lauren Douglas, who poured in 13 off the bench in the 100th career Big Ten win for NU head coach Joe McKeown.
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