EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern defeated the Illinois-Springfield Prairie Stars 84-56 on Sunday in an exhibition to begin the 2016-17 season. The 'Cats were led by senior tri-captains Nia Coffey, Christen Inman and Ashley Deary with everybody on the team getting quality minutes.
Coffey started her senior year right where she left off -- with a double-double -- scoring a game-high 21 points and tallying 15 rebounds. Coffey exploded for 11 points in the first quarter alone. She also had three assists and two blocks and shot 50 percent from the field.
Inman scored 19 on 8-of-14 shooting. Thirteen Wildcats scored points overall.
Deary recorded five steals, while dishing out four assists. Northwestern had 15 steals as a team between six different players.
The Wildcats shot 18-of-24 (75 percent) from the free throw line, outscoring the Prairie Stars by 17 from the charity stripe.
Northwestern dominated in the paint with 50 points compared to UIS' 18, and offensive rebounding was a key with the 'Cats getting 25 second chance points.
The season opener is Friday, Nov. 11, when Chicago's Big Ten Team hosts Hampton at 3:30 p.m at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Single-game tickets and season tickets are available at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.
Coffey started her senior year right where she left off -- with a double-double -- scoring a game-high 21 points and tallying 15 rebounds. Coffey exploded for 11 points in the first quarter alone. She also had three assists and two blocks and shot 50 percent from the field.
Inman scored 19 on 8-of-14 shooting. Thirteen Wildcats scored points overall.
Deary recorded five steals, while dishing out four assists. Northwestern had 15 steals as a team between six different players.
The Wildcats shot 18-of-24 (75 percent) from the free throw line, outscoring the Prairie Stars by 17 from the charity stripe.
Northwestern dominated in the paint with 50 points compared to UIS' 18, and offensive rebounding was a key with the 'Cats getting 25 second chance points.
The season opener is Friday, Nov. 11, when Chicago's Big Ten Team hosts Hampton at 3:30 p.m at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Single-game tickets and season tickets are available at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.