‘Cats Head East to Fight Scarlet Knights

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Northwestern women’s basketball is on the road once again, this time to face off with Rutgers at Jersey Mike’s Arena, as they try to snap a four game losing streak. Tip-off between the Wildcats and the Scarlet Knights is set for 6:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday. 

Northwestern (8-17, 1-13) will play their second straight on the road after falling to Purdue on Sunday. After keeping it close through the first quarter, the ‘Cats weren’t able to hold on and ended up falling to the Boilermakers 76-61. They’ll try to rebound against a Rutgers team (10-16, 4-10) whom Northwestern last defeated 68-63 during the 2021-2022 season. 

Despite the loss to Purdue, the ‘Cats received a solid performance from Hailey Weaver, who led the team in scoring with 14 points, a career high. The sophomore hit three shots from beyond the arc – also a career high – and tacked on two rebounds and an assist off the bench. 

Also helping out in the game was Sydney Wood, who scored seven points, grabbed six rebounds, and picked up a steal and a block. The steal brought her season total to 59 which is good for second best in the conference while her season total for blocks sits at 28, good for sixth best in the conference. 

The team as a whole continues to dominate the blocks category. They combined for two blocks against Purdue, bringing their blocks per game on the season to 4.6. They lead the conference in that category as a team and both Caileigh Walsh, sho leads the team with 30 blocks, and Wood rank amont the top six in the Big Ten individually. 

After Wednesday’s game, the ‘Cats will head home to face Minnesota and celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day on Saturday at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.