While Northwestern’s 83-65 defeat to USC on Thursday dealt another blow to the team’s postseason hopes, it also revealed a glimpse into the long-term future.
Losing to the Trojans (14-9, 6-6 Big Ten) jeopardizes the Wildcats’ (8-15, 2-10 Big Ten) Big Ten Tournament chances. Ranked 15th in the conference and on a five-game losing streak, the ‘Cats are clinging to the final spot in the bracket.
The Trojans gained an advantage through a stellar three-point line early, shooting 54% from behind the arc in the first half. Of their 53 first-half points, 21 came from jumpers as NU trailed by 25. On the other hand, the ’Cats went one for eight in 3-point attempts for the half.
USC standout freshman Jazzy Davidson went on an early run with two successive triples followed by a layup off a NU turnover that put USC up 13-4. Quickly, the ‘Cats found themselves trailing by double digits in minutes.
Although NU’s defense held the Trojans to 14 points in the third quarter, the damage was already done. The ‘Cats cut the lead down to less than 20 only a few times, once from sophomore guard Kat Righeimer’s late fourth-quarter three.
“I just need to wake them up earlier,” coach Joe McKeown said. “Alarm clocks, or something.”
NU’s only other two triple of the game came from junior guard Casey Harter, whose 20 points were a silver lining to Thursday’s loss. Senior forward Grace Sullivan again led the team in scoring with 24 points.
Sullivan said “staying composed” was key to a second-half surge that resulted in 16 of those 24 points.
“I’m always gonna have someone hanging on me when I’m shooting or posting up,” she said.
But the Trojan defense held the Big Ten’s third-leading scorer to single digits in the first half. Harter stepped up for the offense, matching Davidson’s stat line with 11 first-half points. Three of her four assists went to Sullivan, the last setting up Righeimer’s triple.
Starting staples like Sullivan and senior guard Caroline Lau, who often lead the team in assists, are set to graduate by the end of the season. So too is McKeown himself, retiring after 18 years at the helm.
As one of three juniors on the team and the only one of them breaking the starting lineup, Harter could be a centerpiece leader for the ‘Cats in a post-McKeown era.
“She’s a captain in a quiet way,” McKeown said. “She does everything right on and off the court at Northwestern.”
Harter has started all 19 games this season and has played more than 30 minutes in all but one. Her career-best 21 points helped break NU’s ten-game losing streak on its Jan. 11 conference matchup against Rutgers.
The ‘Cats will face a slew of conference opponents in the regular season’s six remaining games, starting with Michigan, ranked second in the Big Ten, next Thursday.
But Harter has just one goal for now.
“Just really focused right now on doing whatever we need to make the Big Ten Tournament,” she said.
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