As another jam-packed week for the Northwestern Wildcats comes to a close, another one looms with implications of tournament bids on the line. It’s time for this week’s NU Sports Report.
Hi, I’m Zach McCrary, and it’s time for your NU Sports Report this week–a look at what the ‘Cats are up to around the Big Ten.
BASKETBALL
It’s been a packed week–first on Wednesday:
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Then on Sunday:
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…and find out we did: Northwestern is now ranked 21st nationally in the latest AP poll released on Monday after a nail-biting 64-62 win over then-14th-Indiana followed by a slaughter of a hopeful Iowa team, 80-60. The two wins rocket Northwestern further into second place in the Big Ten at 11-5 in conference play, just a game and a half behind #5 Purdue. With just four games left to go in the regular season, a road to the regular season title, though extremely narrow, is becoming clearer and clearer with each win. The ‘Cats are currently sitting with a double bye in the Big Ten Tournament in March as the #2 seed, but only time will tell as the ‘Cats take on Illinois in Champaign tomorrow at 8 PM on Big Ten Network.
Meanwhile, the Women’s Basketball team saw the Minnesota Golden Gophers at home where they won 76-62. Forward Caileigh Walsh led the game with 22 points and 2 steals, giving the ‘Cats their first conference win since January 29 at Wisconsin. They’re still at the bottom of the Big Ten standings, 2-14 in conference and 9-18 overall. Their next game will be against the visiting Wisconsin Badgers in Welsh-Ryan arena tomorrow at 6 central on Big Ten Plus.
LACROSSE
Lacrosse saw their first home action of the season this weekend, and what a lineup it was–#14 Notre Dame on Thursday followed by #3 Boston College on Sunday.
‘Cats made mincemeat of Thursday’s game as attacker Izzy Scane was on her A-game, racking up 10 goals and a 17 -8 lead in the fourth quarter before pulling her and goalie Molly LaLiberty from the game. Notre Dame went on a nice little run at the end of the game, but it was too little, too late as ‘Cats won 18-14.
Then on Sunday, the #5 ‘Cats were on a mission to upset #3 Boston College. The Eagles came out strong with an early hat trick from Jenn Medjid, but ‘Cats kept it close, never down by more than four goals throughout the contest. ‘Cats were extremely inefficient on shots and free position shots in the first half, but it was the free position in the second half that gave them the edge, with five of their nine second half goals coming from the free position, allowing them to pull out the win 15-14. ‘Cats are now 2-1 this season; next for them is a match with Marquette in Milwaukee, tomorrow at 5 PM on FloSports.
SOFTBALL
Finally, the #14 softball team saw their first action of the season last week at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, where the Clemson Tigers hosted Northwestern, Ohio State, and Notre Dame.
In the Wildcats’ first game on Friday, ‘Cats were clobbered by the Clemson Tigers, losing 15-2 in five innings. On Saturday, they went on to beat Notre Dame 2-0 and lose again to Clemson despite a late rally 3-2. They closed out the weekend on a high note, dominating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 10-3. The ‘Cats are 4-4 so far this season; their next stop is Cathedral City, California for the Mary Nutter Classic, where they’ll face opponents Portland State, Oregon, UCLA, Kentucky, and San Diego. Action will take place this Friday to Sunday on FloSports. Check online for exact game times.
That’s it for the NU Sports Report this week! For more information about upcoming games, as well as how you can watch the Wildcats live, visit www.nusports.com.
I’m Zach McCrary, WNUR News.
