Northwestern
Creighton
Northwestern Downs Creighton, 93-77 in Season Opener
11/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Creighton Box.pdf
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern opened the 2005-06 season in winning fashion, downing Creighton 93-77 Saturday at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Junior A.J. Glasauer (Freiburg, Germany/ Theodor-Heuss Gymnasium) poured in a game-and career-high 26 points, dished out six assists and pulled down four rebounds to lead the way for the 'Cats.
Fellow upperclassman Ifeoma Okonkwo (Klein Oak, Texas/Klein Oak) logged a game-high nine rebounds and contributed 22 points, slightly missing a double-double. Two other Wildcats also tallied double-figures. Sophomore Sara Stutz (Glenview, Ill./Glenbrook South) and freshman Julie Bielawski (Rogers, Ark./Rogers) both recorded 10 points and four assists. Stutz added a game-high seven assists.
"This victory really sets the tone for our season," head coach Beth Combs said. "It is a big builder for us. The girls came out and played with confidence and had fun, which is what this game is all about. A victory in your first game at home really starts the season off right."
Northwestern certainly did start the game off right, taking charge from the tip and leading the entire game. The Wildcats controlled the first half fast-pace tempo, converting 10 fast-break points, while forcing six Creighton turnovers. NU hit 21-of-33 shots (63 percent) from the field while hitting a scorching 71 percent (5-of-7) from beyond the arc, sending the 'Cats into halftime with a 50-35 advantage. It was the first time since Dec. 4, 1998 (vs. Ohio) that Northwestern scored 50 points in the first stanza.
The Bluejays continued to apply full-court pressure throughout the second half, but Northwestern responded well.
"We did not handle it as cleanly as I would have liked in the first half," Combs said. "I thought we did get better at handling it as the game went on."
In the game, Northwestern outshot the Bluejays from the field and from three-point range, shooting 57 percent and 54 percent, respectively.
Creighton's only chance at a run came at the 8:02 mark of the second half after a three-pointer by Chevelle Herring cut the Wildcat lead to 14. Northwestern responded with a seven-point run over the next two minutes to keep a commanding lead.
While Glasauer and Okonkwo combined for half of NU's scoring, the freshmen also stepped up to the challenge. Erin Dickerson (Chicago, Ill./Whitney Young), Kristin Cartwright (Lake Forest, Ill./Lake Forest) and Bielwaski added 17 combined points.
"They were ready to play today," Combs said of the first-years. "I think Kristin did not play her best today, but she is only going to get better. Julie played an excellent game and provided us with some physical presence. Erin came in and did exactly what we needed. I could not be more proud of them."
It is the first time since the 1998-99 season that Northwestern broke the 90-point plateau. The Wildcats scored 94 points against Ohio on Dec. 4.
The Wildcats are next in action at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22 when they travel south to play Missouri.
