Daily file photo by Ashley Dong
Junior guard Melannie Daley shoots a midrange jumper in a game earlier this year.
Northwestern dropped its ninth-straight game Thursday, falling 73-60 to Illinois at the State Farm Center.
When the Fighting Illini (18-5, 8-4 Big Ten) visited Welsh-Ryan Arena on Jan. 23, the Wildcats (7-14, 0-10 Big Ten) fell by 25 points. Though Thursday’s road contest was closer, NU never threatened to notch an upset victory.
After quiet starts for both squads, the Fighting Illini erupted to a comfortable nine-point lead with consecutive triples in the later half of the opening period.
Illinois maintained its pace in the second quarter as its rapid ball movement overpowered NU. A buzzer-beating three-pointer put the Fighting Illini up 45-25 going into halftime.
The ‘Cats’ outscored their opponents in the final 20 minutes, but their second-half efforts never decreased the deficit to any less than nine points.
Here are three takeaways from NU’s Thursday loss at Illinois:
1. Fighting Illini overpower ‘Cats at three-point line
The slow start for the Fighting Illini lasted only six minutes, as four first-quarter threes put them up 25-13. The home team continued building their lead in the second quarter, culminating in a buzzer-beating triple by forward Berry Wallace to give the hosts a 20-point lead at the break.
Whenever momentum shifted towards NU, Illinois shut it down — often with a triple. When the ‘Cats cut the Fighting Illini’s lead down to 12 in the third quarter, Illinois guard Genesis Bryant’s jumper snatched any chance of resurgence away from the ‘Cats.
Illinois ended 6-of-13 from range, a 46% average, compared to NU’s mere 9%, making 1-of-11 attempts.
2. Fouls snuff out NU momentum
Foul trouble prevented NU from making a comeback as they afforded the Fighting Illini 28 free throw attempts — 22 of which came in the second half. The home team scored 23 free throws to finish 82.1% from the line.
Illinois struggled to knock down shots in the second half — only making five field goals in the entire second 20 minutes — but they cashed in 17 free throws to guard their lead.
The ‘Cats had less than half the opportunities from the charity stripe, knocking down 7-of-11 free throws. However, foul trouble and travel calls ended several potential scoring runs for NU.
3. Daley offers a silver lining
Senior guard Melannie Daley led the ‘Cats on both ends of the floor with 15 points, seven rebounds and one steal. She scored a layup after coming off the bench in the first quarter to break a scoring drought.
Daley — who finished an efficient 7-13 from the floor — is one of five NU scorers averaging double-digit scoring this season. She has scored double-digit points in three straight contests.
Email: desireeluo2028@u.northwestern.edu
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