Dec. 19, 2003

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CARBONDALE, Ill. - Northwestern has made a habit of thrilling victories this week, from Tuesday's 60-57 win over West Virginia to Thursday's triple overtime 78-77 squeaker over city rival Illinois-Chicago. Saturday's game brings the 'Cats to Southern Illinois for an afternoon game vs. the Salukis.

Northwestern holds the all-time advantage over SIU with 8-1 margin which includes last season's 75-62 victory at Welsh-Ryan. The last Southern Illinois win was back in 1979, a 71-58 win for the Salukis.

Southern Illinois enters Saturday's game not having won a game in 2003-04. Tuesday's loss to Southern Mississippi was the closest of the season, dropping the game 55-59. They are led by Danette Jones (11.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg) and Katie Berwanger (8.7 ppg, 8.6 rpg).

The Wildcats are winners of their last two as well as three of the last four. The triple overtime game was the first game since 2000-01 that went into extra sessions and it was also the first triple overtime game in NU's women's basketball program history.

Coming off of the bench, junior Samantha McComb led the 'Cats in scoring for the fourth time this season with 22 points. The co-captain leads the team in scoring by averaging 13.6 ppg and NU is 3-1 when she leads the Wildcats in that category.

Sophomore Ifeoma Okonkwo has had a big week, recording her first two career double-doubles. Okonkwo has led the team in rebounds this week as well, and is currently first in the team in the same category. She is second in scoring with 11.1 ppg.

After the holiday break, NU will travel to California and take part in the Loyola Marymount Tournament. Duke and Hampton are the other two teams scheduled to compete.