Dec. 2, 2005

Box Score

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern toppled Miami (Ohio) 79-73 in the second game of the Mildred and Roger L. White Invitational on Friday at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The trio of A.J. Glasauer (Freiburg, Germany/Theodor Heuss-Gymnasium), Ifeoma Okonkwo (Spring Texas/Klein Oak) and Melissa Miller (Bloomington, Minn./The Breck School) combined for 52 points, leading the Wildcats (3-2) to Saturday's title game against St. John's.

"It was very important to get off to a fast start," head coach Beth Combs said. "We had to get a good first five minutes from the team and making your first couple of shots never hurts. We really came out ready to play tonight."

Miller recorded her second-consecutive double-double, scoring 14 points and 11 rebounds. It was the second double-dipper of the sophomore's career. Glasauer continued her consistent play, recording a team-high 21 points. She has now scored in double figures in every game this season. Okonkwo finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds, the sixth double-double of her career and third of the season.

Sophomore Nadia Bibbs (Chicago, Ill./Hillcrest/Boston University) dished out a career-high 11 assists.

Northwestern shot nearly 50 percent (33-of-68) for the game and forced 20 Miami miscues, the second time this season Northwestern has forced 20 or more turnovers.

Early in the second half, the RedHawks kept it close until the 15-minute mark when Sara Stutz's layup ignited a 12-2 Northwestern scoring run, capped off by a Glasauer jumper with 10:27 remaining, giving the 'Cats a 63-49 lead. NU's defense put the clamps on the RedHawks, holding Miami (Ohio) to one field goal in that six-minute span.

But just when it seemed the 'Cats had the game sealed up, Miami (Ohio) responded with a run of their own, outscoring NU 13-2 over the next five minutes, cutting the lead to three, 65-62.

Miami cut Northwestern's lead to two twice in the last five minutes behind the hot-shooting Cindi Merrill (26 points), but came no closer. NU's defense held Miami to one field goal in the final three minutes.

After Miami jumped out to a 5-point lead in the first two minutes of the game, Okonkwo fueled a 9-2 run over the next three and a half minutes to give NU a 15-13 lead.

A.J Glasauer's trey at the 12-minute mark sparked a 7-0 run to give Northwestern a 25-18 lead with 10:56 left. Miami fought back to cut the lead to one several times, before two late field goals by Okonkwo gave the 'Cats a 45-40 lead into the half.

Northwestern's scrappy defense forced 12 first half RedHawk turnovers, six of those in the last 4:00 minutes.

The Wildcats take to the court tomorrow in the championship game at 4 p.m. against St. John's, who was a 70-38 winner tonight over Wake Forest. The consolation game will pair Miami (Ohio) and Wake Forest at 2 p.m.

Postgame Quotes:
Northwestern Head Coach Beth Combs
On changing the losing attitude of Northwestern...
"You win. We start every day like it is our first and do not dwell on the past. The start to this season provides us with a good base to build on."

On Miami of Ohio's shooting...
"They are great 3-point shooters and great shooters in general. We did not contest shots as well as we should have, and that is because we lack some trust. We need to trust teammates to be there on the drive so that we can pressure players on the perimeter."

On Melissa Miller...
"Melissa has been one of our most consistent players for the past two years. She is one of those players who gets no glory or press, but is a workhorse. We have asked her to get things done on the defensive level, and she has done that. Tonight she had two or three big offensive rebounds to end the game and help seal the victory."

On Miami of Ohio's press...
"I felt that we handled their press very well. Their half-court defense was more troublesome and that is something we need to work on."

On playing a more up-tempo style...
"We are a transition team. When you have kids like A.J. and Ifeoma who can get up and down the floor, you need to play to their strengths."

On the improvement of A.J. Glausser this season...
"A.J. stayed here over the summer and really worked hard. She spent a lot of time working on the mental aspect of the game as well. She is really coming into her own this year and we could not be any more proud of her."

On rebounding from the loss to Valparaiso...
"It is very important to get off to a fast start. We had played three straight road games and needed to come out tonight and defend home court. We had to get a good five first minutes from the team, and making your first couple of shots never hurts. We really came out ready to play tonight."

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