CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Northwestern Wildcats stormed back in the fourth quarter with an 18-0 run to overpower the Illinois Fighting Illini for their eighth consecutive win against the in-state rival, 64-56.
Northwestern trailed by 11 entering halftime but a half-court shot at the buzzer to end the third quarter by first-year Veronica Burton switched the momentum for the 'Cats, holding the Fighting Illini to just five points in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats finished with 21 second chance points, thanks to an outstanding rebounding effort from senior Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah.
Kunaiyi-Akpanah posted her fifth consecutive double-double of the season for a total of 12 in her senior campaign. She finished the contest with 12 points, 11 boards and shot two-for-two from the free throw line.
Three other Wildcats contributed double-digit points in Sunday's matchup: Lindsey Pulliam (14), Bryana Hopkins (11) and Veronica Burton (10). Pulliam's 14-point performance extends her consecutive double-digit scoring streak to 18 games, the longest of her career and 10th in Northwestern history. The sophomore also tied a career high in assists with four.
Junior Bryana Hopkins recorded her first double-double of her career with 11 points and 10 rebounds. This is the first time Northwestern has had two players post double-doubles in a game since Nia Coffey (22 points, 13 rebounds) and Ashley Deary (10 points, 14 assists) did so in January of 2017.
Juniors Abbie Wolf and Byrdy Galernik also contributed to the offense with a four-for-five scoring effort from Wolf, tallying eight points and Galernik added five points in her sixth start of the season.
With its victory over Illinois, Northwestern has won four straight Big Ten games, including three on the road. The #B1GCats move to 13-7 overall with a 6-3 mark in conference play. The Wildcats return home to Welsh-Ryan Arena to take the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Thursday, Jan. 31. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Tickets for the game can be found here.
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Northwestern trailed by 11 entering halftime but a half-court shot at the buzzer to end the third quarter by first-year Veronica Burton switched the momentum for the 'Cats, holding the Fighting Illini to just five points in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats finished with 21 second chance points, thanks to an outstanding rebounding effort from senior Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah.
FROM HALF COURT!
— Northwestern On BTN (@NUOnBTN) January 27, 2019
Veronica Burton of @nuwbball buries one at the buzzer to pull the Wildcats closer to rival Illinois!#GoCats pic.twitter.com/jTE0k2hjSG
Kunaiyi-Akpanah posted her fifth consecutive double-double of the season for a total of 12 in her senior campaign. She finished the contest with 12 points, 11 boards and shot two-for-two from the free throw line.
Three other Wildcats contributed double-digit points in Sunday's matchup: Lindsey Pulliam (14), Bryana Hopkins (11) and Veronica Burton (10). Pulliam's 14-point performance extends her consecutive double-digit scoring streak to 18 games, the longest of her career and 10th in Northwestern history. The sophomore also tied a career high in assists with four.
Make that four wins in a row for @nuwbball!
— Northwestern On BTN (@NUOnBTN) January 27, 2019
Northwestern coach Joe McKeown talks about his team's comeback performance Sunday against rival Illinois!#GoCats pic.twitter.com/KlgDM7bUs0
Junior Bryana Hopkins recorded her first double-double of her career with 11 points and 10 rebounds. This is the first time Northwestern has had two players post double-doubles in a game since Nia Coffey (22 points, 13 rebounds) and Ashley Deary (10 points, 14 assists) did so in January of 2017.
Juniors Abbie Wolf and Byrdy Galernik also contributed to the offense with a four-for-five scoring effort from Wolf, tallying eight points and Galernik added five points in her sixth start of the season.
With its victory over Illinois, Northwestern has won four straight Big Ten games, including three on the road. The #B1GCats move to 13-7 overall with a 6-3 mark in conference play. The Wildcats return home to Welsh-Ryan Arena to take the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Thursday, Jan. 31. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Tickets for the game can be found here.
••••••
Be the first to know what's going on with the 'Cats -- Follow @NU_Sports on Twitter, become a fan of Northwestern Athletics on Facebook, check us out on Instagram, visit our Social Media page and download our mobile app from the Apple Store and Google Play! To get involved with the #B1GCats, become a season-ticket holder or join the Wildcat Fund!