Northwestern women’s basketball wins at Wisconsin

Coming off its first victory in additional than a month, Northwestern traveled to the Kohl Middle to tackle Wisconsin in a battle of the Large Ten’s backside two squads. The Wildcats (8-13, 1-9 Large Ten) didn’t make issues simple however got here out on high 70-67 over the Badgers (7-15, 2-8 Large Ten).

NU appeared to have its finest likelihood of snagging a primary convention victory, however the first three minutes of play left a lot to be desired. Wisconsin soared to a 13-0 lead, changing 5 consecutive discipline objectives earlier than coach Joe McKeown known as his first timeout.

The veteran coach seemingly lit a significant spark throughout the stoppage, and his group’s depth kicked up a number of notches after.

On the Cats’ first possession following the timeout, junior ahead Paige Mott missed a layup inside however grabbed her personal board and drew a taking pictures foul. Mott canned each free throws, and NU was on the board.

The Cats pressed the Badgers into 5 first quarter turnovers, and Mott’s eight first quarter factors led the group again inside 5 factors after ten minutes. Nonetheless, a 25% discipline objective conversion charge halted NU progress regardless of its relentless defensive stress.

The primary quarter taking pictures struggles compounded because the second body commenced. The Cats shot 1-of-8 from past the arc within the first interval, and the squad missed all 4 of its second quarter three-pointers.

“We’re not the Golden State Warriors,” McKeown mentioned of his squad’s three-point capabilities after the win over Chicago State on Wednesday evening.

NU acquired large manufacturing from freshman guard Caroline Lau and sophomore ahead Caileigh Walsh in its Wednesday victory, however they have been held to a mixed 5 factors on 1-of-11 taking pictures within the first half Sunday.

The pictures didn’t fall for the squad’s typical standouts, and the Cats made simply 2-of-17 second quarter discipline objectives. Wisconsin’s strong 7-of-12 clip proved the distinction between the 2 sides, because the half closed at 39-26.

The Badgers opened the scoring within the second half, however NU rapidly turned the tide with a collection of factors within the paint. Immediately, the Cats caught fireplace and Walsh hit her first two three-pointers of the competition. McKeown’s squad compelled six turnovers in three minutes and mounted a 17-0 run. After sophomore guard Hailey Weaver sank a layup, NU held its first lead of the competition.

Wisconsin coach Marisa Moseley selected to not expend a timeout, however a media timeout mercifully halted the onslaught. Each groups traded blows backwards and forwards because the quarter ran on, and Walsh prolonged her level complete to 18. Led by Serah Williams, the Badgers regained momentum and held a 56-50 lead coming into the ultimate interval.

Williams opened the ultimate body with a jumper, however the freshman ahead went down awkwardly on the following Wisconsin possession and headed to the tunnel. Williams later returned after receiving therapy on her ankle.

Mott introduced the competition inside one possession and her level tally to 21 with fewer than 5 minutes to play. She then took a fast breather earlier than returning and drilling a layup to convey the sport again inside one level.

Lau, who missed her first 4 pictures from the sphere and her first three long-range jumpers, selected an ideal time to search out her type. The Connecticut native discovered some area within the nook and let fly from past the arc. Capping off a 7-0 run, the Cats have been again in entrance 68-66 with fewer than two minutes remaining.

Neither aspect knocked down a shot from the sphere within the closing moments, and Walsh picked up her fifth and closing foul when she contested Wisconsin guard Avery LaBarbera within the paint. LaBarbera transformed the primary shot from the road, however missed the second.

The Badgers fouled their manner into the bonus and despatched sophomore guard Jillian Brown to the road. The Michigan native nailed each pictures, and LaBarbera’s three-pointer on the different finish rattled off the rim, cementing NU’s first convention win of the season.

The Cats look to proceed their profitable methods once they go to Penn State (12-9, 3-7 Large Ten) Thursday evening.

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