NU Sports Report – February 28, 2024

Starting Pitcher Ashley Miller in the middle of her windup.

With another week of games in the book, the sports report has you covered. Whether you’re wondering about how many goals Izzy Scane scored or the masterful pitching of Ashley Miller, Gabe Shumway has all the highlights.

Photo by @NUSBCats on Instagram

NU Sports Report
NU Sports Report
NU Sports Report - February 28, 2024
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Hello, I’m Gabe Shumway, here with your NU Sports Report on everything from this past week. 

Diamond sports are in full swing once again, with series for Northwestern’s baseball and softball teams. 

Baseball 

The baseball team was in Durham this past weekend for a three game series with the Twelfth-ranked Duke Blue Devils. The ‘Cats pitching held strong in game one, limited Duke to just two runs. However, the offense was unable to provide, resulting in a two-nothing loss. The second matchup saw Duke’s offense take off in an eight to two victory. Trying to avoid the series sweep, Northwestern bats came alive in the third game for nine runs. However, this hailed in comparison to Duke, who put up a whopping twenty runs, completing the series sweep and continuing their undefeated season. 

Softball 

The softball team had some weekend matchups of their own. The first of which was with nineteenth-ranked UCLA. This was a classic pitcher’s duel, with ‘Cats starter Ashley Miller had a strong game one, going six innings with only one run allowed. But alas, she was outdueled by UCLA starter Taylor Tinsley who pitched a complete game shutout to close out a one-zero win for the Bruins. Saturday saw matchups with San Diego and Loyola Marymount, resulting in a two-nothing loss to LMU alongside a nine-eight win again San Diego. In the final game of this weekend tournament, the ‘Cats matched up with the Oregon State Beavers. This win came on the back of a complete game shutout for Ashley Miller, limiting the Beavers to just one hit. 

Both men’s and women’s basketball had home games against Michigan this past week.  

Men’s Basketball 

Entering the men’s matchup, the biggest storyline was Boo Buie standing just four points shy of breaking the University’s all-time scoring record. He did so with a long three in the first half against Michigan. The ‘Cats, while trailing early, were able to make a come from behind win and a big one at that, with a final score of Cats: 76. Wolverines: 62. They are currently tied for third in Big Ten Conference Play, and are in a matchup at Maryland as we speak. 

Women’s Basketball 

The women’s matchup with Michigan did not go so well, as they ended up losing by the same margin of fourteen points, with the final being 74 to 60 wolverines. Junior Caileigh Walsh led the team in scoring with fourteen, Sophomore Caroline Lau led the team with nine rebounds and seven assists. They were no match, however, for the Michigan offense, led by a sixteen-point double double from Junior Forward Laila Pheila. 

They also had a matchup with fourteenth in the nation Indiana last night. It was also senior night, with five seniors in the starting five for Head Coach Joel McKeown. However, it was the Junior Guard Melannie Daley that led the team in scoring with 24 in the contest. Indiana Forward Mackenzie Holmes was the highest scorer overall though with 28 points coupled alongside nine rebounds. 

Women’s Lacrosse 

And finally, the women’s lacrosse team also had a game this past week, as the ‘Cats traveled to Boulder for a game against 20th in the nation Colorado. The score was knotted up at six after the first quarter, but Northwestern began to pull away as the game went on, finishing with a nineteen to fourteen victory. Madison Taylor led the ‘Cats with six goals, as Izzy Scane racked up five of her own. Erin Coykendall led the team in assists with four. The ‘Cats rank improved to third in the nation this week and it sets up a big matchup tomorrow afternoon where they’ll be in Massachusetts going up against the current number one: Boston College. 

That wraps up your NU Sports report for this week. For more information about upcoming games, as well as how you can watch the Wildcats live, visit www.nusports.com. I’m Gabe Shumway, for WNUR News.