EVANSTON, Ill. – Sophomore Alex Wittinger recorded her 10th double-double of the season on Sunday afternoon, posting 12 points and 10 rebounds against the Northwestern Wildcats. The Delano, Minnesota, native, also added four blocks and three steals on the day. Freshman Brandi Beasley led the Illini with 14 points, scoring in double-figures for the eighth-consecutive game. It wasn't enough, however as the Illini fell to Northwestern, 66-53. With the loss, the Illini fall to 8-19 on the season and 3-11 in Big Ten play.
"I thought we had a lot of life in the first quarter and in the third quarter, and we played well," head coach Matt Bollant said. "I thought the difference of the game was {Northwestern} getting to the free throw line. We just couldn't seem to get the fouls, as far as drawing fouls and getting free throws. We shot eight to their 28 and outscored us by 19 at the free throw line. Obviously, {Northwestern's Nia Coffey} Coffey is really good at attacking the rim. I thought Alex {Wittinger} did a good job. She had a double-double with four blocks. Coffey's length made it tough for her."
The Illini and the Wildcats traded baskets throughout the first half, with Northwestern pulling ahead to an early lead. Freshman Ali Andrews knocked down her first three-pointer of the day to keep the Illini within one midway through the frame, while freshman Courtney Joens also added a trey of her own in the opening quarter. Northwestern took a 17-13 lead into the second quarter. Wittinger led the Illini with four points and three rebounds to open the game, and redshirt junior Kennedy Cattenhead nabbed two steals in the quarter as well.
Northwestern capitalized from the free throw line early in the second quarter, but freshman Petra Holešínská and sophomore Jaelyne Kirkpatrick added buckets for the Illini to keep it a one-possession game. The Wildcats used a 9-0 run to pull ahead and take the scoring advantage into the halftime break. Northwestern made 9-of-11 first-half free throws, and both UI and NU netted three treys to start the game. The two teams each shot 36-percent to open the game.
Andrews added another bucket in the second quarter to lead the Illini with five points at the half. Wittinger racked up six rebounds before the break, also tallying three blocks in the first half. Cattenhead matched her season-high with three steals in the first half as well.
Illinois played tough defense out of the halftime break, holding Northwestern without a field goal for almost four minutes to start the third quarter. The Wildcats fought back with six consecutive points, but the Orange and Blue closed the third quarter on an 11-3 run to outscore NU 16-11 in the frame. UI forced four Northwestern turnovers in the third quarter, and held the Wildcats without a three-pointer. Freshman Brandi Beasley and Wittinger combined for 10 of Illinois' third-quarter points, and Beasley also added two steals.
Wittinger and Beasley continued their scoring ways for the Illini in the fourth quarter, netting Illinois' first six points. Cattenhead added six points of her own in the final quarter, but Northwestern capitalized from the charity stripe to maintain its lead. The Wildcats knocked down 10-of-11 free throws in the final quarter, outscoring Illinois from the foul line by 19 points in the game. The Illini held Northwestern to just 21-percent shooting from distance in the game and forced 16 Wildcat turnovers. Illinois dished 15 assists on 21 field goals. Cattenhead tallied four assists, and Holešínská tied her career-high with four dimes as well.
Illinois will continue its road trip, heading to Madison, Wisconsin to take on the Badgers on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for the latest on Illinois women's basketball.
Team Notes
- The Fighting Illini moved to 8-19 overall and 3-11 in Big Ten play with a 66-53 loss to the Northwestern Wildcats on Sunday afternoon.
- Illinois trails the overall series, 34-49.
- The Illini recorded double-figure steals and assists in the same game for just the fourth time this season with 14 steals and 15 assists against the Wildcats.
- Two Illini scored in double-figures on Sunday. The Orange and Blue have had two or players in double-figures in all but two games this season.
Individual Notes
- Freshman Brandi Beasley scored in double-digits for the 19th time this season with 14 points.
- Sophomore Alex Wittinger recorded her 10th double-double of the season and 14th of her career with a 12 points and 10 rebounds.
- Redshirt-sophomore Kennedy Cattenhead had a season-best four steals.
- Cattenhead matched her career-high eight rebounds.
- Freshman Petra Holešínská matched her career-best four assists.
- Freshman Ali Andrews hit two three-pointers, good for the ninth time this season Andrews has knocked down multiple treys.
