WBB Falls at Northwestern
12/15/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
HTML Box Score
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern women's basketball entered Monday's matchup with Gonzaga as one of the top defensive teams in the country, and it proved why in a 62-43 victory.
The Wildcats (8-0) remained unbeaten and are two spots out of the AP Top 25. In the first meeting ever between the programs, Northwestern led for the entirety of the contest.
Northwestern came into the game first in the country in blocks per game, third in field goal percentage defense, fifth in scoring defense, and eighth in steals. Monday, it held the Zags to 43 points, and 31 percent shooting from the field. NU also finished with four blocks and 10 steals.
The Wildcats finished 45 percent shooting from the field, including 8-of-21 from behind-the-arc. NU shot 65 percent in the second half. Nia Coffey led Northwestern with a game-high 16 points and seven rebounds. Lauren Douglas added 14 points. Alex Cohen had 10.
The Wildcats forced 22 turnovers and turned that into 27 points. Northwestern also had a 32-18 advantage in the paint. Gonzaga outrebounded NU, 37-34. Northwestern led 32-23 at halftime, before using a 16-2 run early in the second half to open the margin.
Gonzaga was led by Keani Albanez's 15 points. She finished 5-of-12 from the field. The senior moved to 10th all-time at Gonzaga in three-pointers made. She passed Taelor Karr and now has made 116 three-pointers in her career. Shaniqua Nilles added 10 points for the Bulldogs (6-4).
Gonzaga returns home and welcomes Southern Utah Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Pacific Time. Live video will be available on TheW.tv. Live radio will be available on The Key 1050 AM.
