Feb. 29, 2008

Ohio State Game Notes

EVANSTON, Ill. --The schedule has not played out favorably for the Wildcats in the final week of the regular season, as NU drew the two teams vying for the conference title in Iowa and Ohio State. In the first of two meetings against the league toppers, Northwestern dropped a 68-42 decision Thursday evening in Iowa City. Meanwhile, Ohio State eked out an 87-84 victory on the road against Penn State, continuing the deadlock a top the standings. Tip against the Bucks is set for 1 p.m. CT.

Last Time Out...
Iowa used a 48-percent shooting effort en route to a 68-42 victory over Northwestern Thursday evening at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Freshman Amy Jaeschke led the 'Cats with 15 points and 11 rebounds--her fourth double-double of the season.

Iowa sprinted out to an early 8-2 lead before baskets by Nadia Bibbs and Meshia Reed cut the lead to a bucket six minutes into the half. Every time the Hawks looked poised to make a run, Amy Jaeschke responded with a bucket of her own, not allowing Iowa's lead to exceed five points over the next two minutes.

The Hawks then went on an 11-0 run to take a 26-10 advantage with 9:24 remaining. Back-to-back jumpers by Jaeschke and Sara Stutz cut the Iowa lead to 12 before the Hawks spurted again, this time pouring in eight points over the next three and a half minutes to pull out to a 21-point advantage with 2:50 left.

A trey by Reed cut the Hawkeye lead to 18, where it would remain until halftime. Amy Jaeschke led Northwestern at the break with eight points and five rebounds.

Iowa opened the second half on an 8-2 run, and continued its sharp shooting throughout the half, ultimately converting on nearly 50 percent of its shots en route to the victory.

Scouting the Buckeyes
No. 22/18 Ohio State enters the final game of the regular season tied with Iowa for the conference lead at 12-5. The Bucks survived a scare Thursday evening against Penn State, escaping with a 87-84 victory at the Bryce Jordan Center. Freshman phenom Jantel Lavender turned in a career-high 36 points and grabbed 16 boards to lead the Bucks. Marscilla Packer, Maria Moeller and Tamarah Riley all turned in double-digit performances in the win. Ashlee Trebilcock, Lavender and Packer are averaging in double-figures for the Bucks on the season and Lavender is leads OSU on the glass, pulling down 9.8 rpg.

The Series Against Ohio State
Ohio State holds a 32-15 advantage in the overall series against Northwestern, most recently having defeated the Wildcats 77-55 on Jan. 13 in Evanston. Freshmen Amy Jaeschke and Meshia Reed chipped in 24 and 11 points, respectively, to lead NU. Northwestern has not defeated Ohio State since 1999.