By Greg Mroz
Hoffman Estates, Ill – Here is a recap of the first half of Northwestern’s Big Ten Tournament game against Rutgers.
1. Turnovers
This has been a big problem for the Wildcats in the past, and it proved to be huge in the first half. Northwestern turned the ball over 14 times and just looked all around sloppy. Rutgers is a much more physical tea on the defensive end which may be a part of it, but the Wildcats have to be better handling the rock in the second half.
2. Rutgers Foul Trouble
While the Scarlet Knights for the most part outplayed the Wildcats in the first half, it came at a price. Kahleah Copper exited with two fouls relatively early in the half, and Ariel Butts, Tyler Scaife, and Syessence Davis picked up three personals. With Rachel Hollivay more than likely out of the game with an injury, bodies could become an issue for Rutgers down the stretch.
3. Offensive Opportunities
Northwestern went on a 12-2 run late in the first half, but the Wildcats have not had many chances to shoot the ball. The Wildcats finished the first half 7-21 from the field, going 1-6 from beyond the arch. At the line, Northwestern went 12-17, which in a tight game like this could prove critical down the stretch.