Northwestern’s slow start and ISU’s sustained shooting success were too much to overcome.
In a back-and-forth affair, Northwestern (0-1, 0-0 BIG) couldn’t hold off a resilient fourth quarter push from Illinois State (1-0, 0-0 Missouri Valley) in an 81-77 defeat at home. The ‘Cats started out looking sluggish, and once in the ballgame they could never pull away.
Kyla Jones led the scoring for the ‘Cats with 28 points on 9-of-12 shooting in the losing effort. Casey Harter added 18 points, and Grace Sullivan had 10 points along with eight rebounds and two blocks. Caroline Lau led the team with five assists. The ‘Cats shot 45.8% from the field compared to 48.3% from Illinois State.
After Taylor Williams won the tipoff, Illinois State quickly jumped out to a 6-0 lead. Grace Sullivan hit a jumper off the backboard to open up the scoring for the Wildcats; however, the Redbirds responded with a three pointer of their own. Casey Harter then nailed back-to-back jumpers to cut the lead to 9-6 at the first media timeout.
After Illinois State knocked down two free throws, Sullivan drilled another fadeaway jump shot. Williams then drew an offensive foul, and the ‘Cats capitalized with a Sullivan put-back off an offensive rebound. Illinois State countered with back-to-back shots from deep and a wide open bank shot to give it an 18-10 lead. Williams responded with a nice layup in transition, and Harter drew a shooting foul, making 1-of-2 free throws to make it an 18-13 game after one quarter.
To open the second quarter, the Redbirds hit another jumper as Northwestern looked out of sync defensively. However, the ‘Cats quickly answered with a three and layup, both from Tayla Thomas. Illinois State drained two free throws before Jones scored back-to-back layups, one coming off a turnover, to tie the game at 22-22 and force a Redbirds timeout midway through the second quarter.
Both teams traded baskets out of the timeout as Northwestern amped up its defensive intensity. The Redbirds still managed to retake a six-point lead via three shots around the rim. Thomas sunk two free throws to cut the Wildcats’ scoring drought, but the Redbirds countered with another bank shot to take a 32-26 lead.
Williams drew another foul and made both free throws before both teams traded layups. Willams then scored an impressive and-one off a turnover, making the free throw. The ‘Cats defense forced another miss but turned over the ball and committed an unnecessary foul against the Redbirds with 4.2 seconds remaining in the half. Illinois State made 1-of-2 to take a 36-34 advantage after one half of play.
The second half started with a layup from Illinois State followed by a made jumper from Sullivan. The Redbirds replied with a layup and an and-one but missed the free throw. Harter and Jones then scored three consecutive layups off of quality defense and forced turnovers, tying the game 42-42.
Illinois State responded with a layup of its own, but Jones sunk an impressive shot in fast break transition while also drawing a foul. Sullivan had an impressive block which resulted in a three point shot from Lau that gave the Wildcats their first lead of the game, 47-44, with under five minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
Illinois State responded with a jump shot before Harter drilled a shot from behind the arc. The Redbirds and Jones exchange points, and Illinois State sunk two free throws to tie the game up. Both teams then hit back-to-back threes with Jones keeping the game tied 55-55 after three quarters.
Thomas opened the fourth quarter with a bank shot to regain the lead, but the Redbirds answered with a three point shot to take the lead themselves. Jones then converted a lay-up, but again the Redbirds responded with a jump shot and drew a foul on a put-back attempt, making 1-of-2 foul shots.
Illinois State then hit a layup followed by yet another trey from Jones. Per usual, the Redbirds had an answer, knocking down their own shot from deep. Jones continued to dominate with another score in transition and a three-point play, tying the game at 66 with less than five minutes remaining.
Illinois State came out of the timeout with a made free throw and an and-one to give it a four point lead. It then drew another foul and swished both free throws to make the score 72-66 with three minutes to play. After Jones sunk two shot at the foul line, the Redbirds drew another and-one to give them a seven point advantage.
With the game slipping away, Harter converted an impressive and-one hook shot off the backboard. However, Northwestern continued to foul Illinois state on the defensive end, and they took advantage by making one free throw. With under 2 minutes left and down five points, Jones found her way to the free throw line and converted 1-of-2.
Down 78-72 with one minute remaining, the ‘Cats committed a turnover but forced a shot-clock violation by Illinois State. Down to their last breath, Harter drilled a clutch corner three to cut the lead to 78-75 with 33.2 seconds left in regulation. Northwestern immediately committed an intentional foul and the Redbirds make 1-of-2 at the line.
Trailing by four, Jones drilled two free throws to make it a 79-77 game. With the shot clock turned off, the ‘Cats fouled again, but this time the Redbirds missed both. With 20 seconds remaining down by two points, Walton’s corner three just rimmed out.
Northwestern committed another foul, but this time Illinois State hit both free throws. A desperation heave fell short, as did Northwestern in an 81-77 loss.
The Wildcats will be back in action at home Sunday against Lehigh. Tip-off is at 2 p.m. CST.