By Greg Mroz
Hoffman Estates, Ill
Rapid Reaction to Northwestern’s 62-57 victory over Rutgers.
Starting the 2nd Half Hot
Often when a team is down by ten at halftime, the immediate start to the second half is the best and only opportunity to get back in the game. The Wildcats took full advantage of this, going on a 21-4 run to start the second half. After not attempting a shot in the first half, Ashley Deary went 5-7 scoring 12 points and being extremely active on the defensive end. Northwestern started the half 12-18 from the field while Rutgers was 4-17 during the same span.
Defensive Pressure
Northwestern’s patented “Blizzard” zone forced Rutgers to the perimeter, and without center Rachel Hollivay, the Scarlet Knights had no legitimate interior threat. The Scarlet Knights struggled to make shots, and had choppy ball movement the entire second half. Kahleah Copper scored 12 in the first half for Rutgers, but was silent in the 2nd half, managing only two more points. It may have been one of the best halves of basketball on the defensive end for Northwestern all season.