By Austin Siegel, Northwestern Correspondent
A lot of things have changed around Welsh-Ryan Arena since Maggie Lyon, Christen Johnson, Nof Kedem and Tessa Haldes arrived in Evanston four years ago.
The court proudly displays the block N logo in a brighter shade of purple and three new video boards hang from the ceiling of the renovated arena. Joe McKeown has crossed the 600-win threshold as one of the most successful head coaches in the women's game. And while a trip the NCAA tournament has always been the goal, it has now become the standard for Northwestern women's basketball.
"[These seniors] came to a program that was just getting started and they helped change it into a great program in so many ways. I'm really proud of them," McKeown said.
Sunday's clash with Maryland was not the last time the senior 'Cats will take the court at Welsh-Ryan Arena this season, but after a pre-game ceremony in which the team's four seniors were honored, the end of their Northwestern careers felt closer than ever.
For Lyon, it's a career that may never be equaled.
"The effort you saw from Maggie Lyon tonight was what she's given every day for four years and we're really lucky to coach her," McKeown said. "We're really lucky to coach her and the other seniors that we honored today for what they've brought to Northwestern."
Lyon has enjoyed a record-breaking career with Chicago's Big Ten Team. The Wilmette, Illinois, native was named the 2013 Big Ten Freshman of the year and is a two-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. She is currently ranked ninth on the school's all-time scoring list and holds the record for the career 3-pointers made. Lyon, a two-time captain for the Wildcats, led Northwestern to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996, and the program's first 20-win season under McKeown.
"It's pretty cool to reflect on everything that has happened in my career here and everything that Northwestern has offered for me," Lyon said on Sunday.
The effort McKeown mentioned was on full display against Maryland, as Lyon helped lead a furious rally against the No. 5 Terrapins. Despite trailing by as many as 24 points, the Wildcats refused to go away thanks to Lyon's team-high 25-point performance.
Though they managed to cut the lead to just five points with 5:30 left against Maryland, the Wildcats fell just short.
Despite the setback, Lyon said she was able to appreciate the moment, as her Northwestern career begins to draw to a close.
"The opportunities that Coach McKeown offered for me…have been a really, really incredible experience," Lyon said. "[Today] just kind of put it in perspective. It was truly phenomenal and I'm really lucky."
A lot of things have changed around Welsh-Ryan Arena since Maggie Lyon, Christen Johnson, Nof Kedem and Tessa Haldes arrived in Evanston four years ago.
The court proudly displays the block N logo in a brighter shade of purple and three new video boards hang from the ceiling of the renovated arena. Joe McKeown has crossed the 600-win threshold as one of the most successful head coaches in the women's game. And while a trip the NCAA tournament has always been the goal, it has now become the standard for Northwestern women's basketball.
"[These seniors] came to a program that was just getting started and they helped change it into a great program in so many ways. I'm really proud of them," McKeown said.
Sunday's clash with Maryland was not the last time the senior 'Cats will take the court at Welsh-Ryan Arena this season, but after a pre-game ceremony in which the team's four seniors were honored, the end of their Northwestern careers felt closer than ever.
For Lyon, it's a career that may never be equaled.
"The effort you saw from Maggie Lyon tonight was what she's given every day for four years and we're really lucky to coach her," McKeown said. "We're really lucky to coach her and the other seniors that we honored today for what they've brought to Northwestern."
Lyon has enjoyed a record-breaking career with Chicago's Big Ten Team. The Wilmette, Illinois, native was named the 2013 Big Ten Freshman of the year and is a two-time All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. She is currently ranked ninth on the school's all-time scoring list and holds the record for the career 3-pointers made. Lyon, a two-time captain for the Wildcats, led Northwestern to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996, and the program's first 20-win season under McKeown.
"It's pretty cool to reflect on everything that has happened in my career here and everything that Northwestern has offered for me," Lyon said on Sunday.
The effort McKeown mentioned was on full display against Maryland, as Lyon helped lead a furious rally against the No. 5 Terrapins. Despite trailing by as many as 24 points, the Wildcats refused to go away thanks to Lyon's team-high 25-point performance.
Though they managed to cut the lead to just five points with 5:30 left against Maryland, the Wildcats fell just short.
Despite the setback, Lyon said she was able to appreciate the moment, as her Northwestern career begins to draw to a close.
"The opportunities that Coach McKeown offered for me…have been a really, really incredible experience," Lyon said. "[Today] just kind of put it in perspective. It was truly phenomenal and I'm really lucky."