EVANSTON, Ill. (November 3, 2024) – Kyla Jones poured in a game-high 18 points, leading a group of four ‘Cats in double figures, as Northwestern jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in an 88-64 exhibition win over Parkside this evening inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
How It Happened
Grace Sullivan sparked the ‘Cats in the early minutes, connecting on each of her first three attempts from the field, the last of which gave Northwestern a 6-4 lead with just over 90 seconds gone.
A conventional three-point play from Jones put the Wildcats back in front, 11-9, and laid the foundation for a 13-0 tear, capped off by a Tayla Thomas second-chance score, that saw the gap balloon to 21-9 as the hosts ultimately took a 27-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Northwestern kept its foot on the accelerator, opening the second frame on a 12-2 run, a spurt punctuated by a Jones fast break bucket to push the lead over the 20-point plateau, 39-18. Xamiya Walton drilled a corner triple to give the ‘Cats their largest lead of the first half, 44-20, en route to taking a 49-30 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
Casey Harter’s second trey of the night reestablished a 20-point lead, 52-32, in the early stages of the third quarter. After seeing the Wildcats’ lead reach 26 on a pair of separate occasions midway through the frame, Parkside battled back, with a Jaelyn Derlein jumper trimming the gap to 67-50. A conventional three-point play by Taylor Williams in the closing seconds snapped a 2:41 scoreless drought for the ‘Cats, who held a 70-52 edge after three quarters of play.
Parkside, which went the final 6:09 of regulation without a make from the field, would get no closer than 19 over the final 10 minutes as Northwestern closed out a comprehensive home victory.
Inside The Box Score
– Jones led all scorers with 18 points (8-10 FGs, 2-2 FTs), in addition to putting up six rebounds, four assists, and two steals, and a block.
– Williams was a force at both ends, finishing her night with 16 points (4-13 FGs, 8-11 FTs) and a game-best 16 rebounds.
– Harter matched Williams on the offensive end, knocking down three triples as part of a 16-point (4-8 FGs, 3-4 3FGs, 5-6 FTs) showing of her own.
– Sullivan rounded out Northwestern’s quartet to score in double figures, adding 14 points (6-15 FGs, 2-2 FTs).
– Fresh off a season in which she ranked in the top five in the Big Ten in assists, Caroline Lau closed her night with nine helpers as Northwestern assisted on 21 of its 31 made field goals.
– Peighto Nelson paced Parkside with 14 points (5-13 FGs, 1-1 3FGs, 3-4 FTs).
Up Next
Northwestern raises the curtain on the 2024-25 season on Wednesday, November 6 when it plays host to Illinois State in a 7 p.m. tip-off inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
How It Happened
Grace Sullivan sparked the ‘Cats in the early minutes, connecting on each of her first three attempts from the field, the last of which gave Northwestern a 6-4 lead with just over 90 seconds gone.
A conventional three-point play from Jones put the Wildcats back in front, 11-9, and laid the foundation for a 13-0 tear, capped off by a Tayla Thomas second-chance score, that saw the gap balloon to 21-9 as the hosts ultimately took a 27-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Northwestern kept its foot on the accelerator, opening the second frame on a 12-2 run, a spurt punctuated by a Jones fast break bucket to push the lead over the 20-point plateau, 39-18. Xamiya Walton drilled a corner triple to give the ‘Cats their largest lead of the first half, 44-20, en route to taking a 49-30 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
Casey Harter’s second trey of the night reestablished a 20-point lead, 52-32, in the early stages of the third quarter. After seeing the Wildcats’ lead reach 26 on a pair of separate occasions midway through the frame, Parkside battled back, with a Jaelyn Derlein jumper trimming the gap to 67-50. A conventional three-point play by Taylor Williams in the closing seconds snapped a 2:41 scoreless drought for the ‘Cats, who held a 70-52 edge after three quarters of play.
Parkside, which went the final 6:09 of regulation without a make from the field, would get no closer than 19 over the final 10 minutes as Northwestern closed out a comprehensive home victory.
Inside The Box Score
– Jones led all scorers with 18 points (8-10 FGs, 2-2 FTs), in addition to putting up six rebounds, four assists, and two steals, and a block.
– Williams was a force at both ends, finishing her night with 16 points (4-13 FGs, 8-11 FTs) and a game-best 16 rebounds.
– Harter matched Williams on the offensive end, knocking down three triples as part of a 16-point (4-8 FGs, 3-4 3FGs, 5-6 FTs) showing of her own.
– Sullivan rounded out Northwestern’s quartet to score in double figures, adding 14 points (6-15 FGs, 2-2 FTs).
– Fresh off a season in which she ranked in the top five in the Big Ten in assists, Caroline Lau closed her night with nine helpers as Northwestern assisted on 21 of its 31 made field goals.
– Peighto Nelson paced Parkside with 14 points (5-13 FGs, 1-1 3FGs, 3-4 FTs).
Up Next
Northwestern raises the curtain on the 2024-25 season on Wednesday, November 6 when it plays host to Illinois State in a 7 p.m. tip-off inside Welsh-Ryan Arena.
