Feb. 1, 2009

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Northwestern fell to Purdue 70-44 Sunday afternoon at Mackey Arena. Amy Jaesckhe (Wilmette, Ill./New Trier) led Northwestern with nine points while Kristin Cartwright (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) and Ellen Jaeschke (Cary, Ill./Cary-Grove) each contributed eight. Ellen Jaeschke also added a game-high three steals.

The game took a defensive tone from the beginning, as both defenses caused a combined 10 turnovers through the first nine minutes. Northwestern found itself down 18-9 at the midway point of the half until a trey in the corner from Jenny Eckhart (Libertyville, Ill./Carmel) pulled Northwestern to within six with 8:54 left. Purdue maintained at least a six-point lead until a long-range jumper from the elbow by Amy Jaeschke cut the Boilermaker advantage to four, 20-16, with 5:37 remaining.

But Purdue went on a 10-4 run to end the half and take a 30-20 lead -- its largest of the half -- into the locker room. Amy Jaeschke led the Wildcats with seven points, three assists and three boards at intermission.

The Boilermakers opened the second half on a 10-2 run, taking a 40-22 lead three-and-a half minutes into the game. Purdue didn't look back, notching 40 second-half points and holding on to its 15th win of the season.

The Wildcats are next in action on Thursday, Feb. 5 when they welcome the Michigan Wolverines for a 7 p.m. contest at Welsh-Ryan Arena.