Dec. 14, 2010

Northwestern (8-2, 0-0) vs. Northern Illinois (5-4, 0-0)
Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010
Welsh-Ryan Arena (8,117)
Evanston, Illinois • Noon
Streaming Video: NUsports.com All-Access
Gametracker: NUsports.com
In-game Twitter updates: @NU_SportsLIVE

EVANSTON, Ill. -- After a hard-fought 76-72 loss at No. 24/RV DePaul Monday night, the Wildcats return to Evanston, hoping to remain unbeaten in Welsh-Ryan Arena, to face another in-state rival--Northern Illinois. Tip is set for noon, as it is Field Trip Day, and the game will be streamed live on NUsports.com All-Access.

Northwestern is in the midst of a 12-day span in which it plays five games to end the nonconference season. Wednesday's game is followed by a tilt with Northern Arizona on Sunday at 1 p.m., and a game against Toledo on Wednesday, Dec. 22 at 3 p.m. The Wildcats break for the holiday and return to action Thursday, Dec. 30 when they open the Conference season at Indiana. Action gets underway at 6 p.m. CT.

For Starters...
Hackney Shines Against DePaul
Sophomore Kendall Hackney turned in a 23-point, 12-rebound performance against No. 24/RV DePaul Monday evening at McGrath Arena. The Cincinnati, Ohio, native was 10-of-12 from the free-throw line and shot 60 percent from deep (3-of-5). The scoring effort came up just one point shy of tying her career-high, 24, which she most recently scored in NU's only other loss of the season at Georgia Tech. Hackney has started every game for NU this season and is fourth on the team, averaging 11.9 ppg and 6.6 rpg.

Jaeschke on the Big Stage
Take a look at the NCAA statistics (12.12.10) and one will see Amy Jaeschke's name littered among the national leaders. The 6-5 center is fifth in the country in scoring (24.1 ppg), seventh in blocked shots (3.9 bpg) and fourth in double-doubles with six on the season. Her triple double against Chicago State is the most of its variety in the nation as well.

Jaeschke Named Big Ten Player of the Week
Senior Amy Jaeschke earned her second Big Ten Player of the Week honor this season after posting career highs of 37 points and 17 rebounds in Northwestern's 92-84 win over Central Michigan on Saturday. The senior also tallied six blocks and four assists in the Wildcats' win, shooting 60 percent (15-of-25) from the floor.

Toeing the Line
Northwestern ranks fourth in the Big Ten in free-throw percentage (76.0 percent) but what's more impressive is that the Wildcats have made 33 more free throws than their opponents have even attempted. NU has made 158 shots from the charity stripe while their foes have only had 125 opportunities to convert from the line. Junior Brittany Orban tops the 'Cats' column, shooting 87.8 percent from the line while Beth Marshall is right behind her, converting on 87 percent of the chances. Marshall is especially accurate in the final minute, connecting on 14-of-16 attempts during that time. As a team, Northwestern is 24-of-28 from the line in the final 1:08 this season.

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