North by Northwestern

After a five-game downward spiral, the Northwestern women’s basketball team hoped to replicate a victory on Thursday at Michigan coming off the heels of an upset by the men’s team. However, there would be no such celebration, as the Wildcats (9-16, 2-9 B1G) fell to #21 Michigan (20-6, 9-4 B1G) by a score of 84-63. A cold start on offense by Northwestern would prove impossible to overcome.

Every time we get close, Michigan pulls away 😕

#21 Michigan 73, #B1GCats 58 | 3:07 4Q

— #B1GCats Women’s Basketball (@nuwbball) February 9, 2018

The Wildcats showed poor discipline during the first half. The team committed 9 personal fouls and had 11 turnovers (they would finish with 18 and 15, respectively) en route to just 24 points after two quarters. Michigan took advantage of a slew of and-one opportunities to gradually extend their lead.

In the third quarter, Northwestern picked up some momentum and kept pace on offense with the Wolverines. Lindsey Pulliam and Jordan Hamilton each had eight points in the quarter, but their efforts were not enough to catch up to Michigan and Katelynn Flaherty, who had a dominant night with 36 points and 9-for-16 three-point shooting. During the game’s final quarter, Michigan pulled away, scoring 27 points to hand the Wildcats another 21-point loss.

Just a little sampling of some of @kateflaherty24's 36 points tonight...two off her career high, 13th 30-point game of her career. #gobluepic.twitter.com/bySz0MvenJ

— Michigan Women’s Basketball (@umichwbball) February 9, 2018

Hamilton would lead Northwestern scorers with 21 points on 7-12 shooting from the field. She and Flaherty set up shop from beyond the arc as both teams rained three-pointers (21 total) throughout the game.

.@jrhamilton14 puts up her second 20-plus point game on the road against a ranked opponent.

Not bad. #B1GCats

📰 » https://t.co/UKTzNMfaAHpic.twitter.com/ClFAdNyXDy

— #B1GCats Women’s Basketball (@nuwbball) February 9, 2018

The women’s team will face the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sunday at Evanston Township High School seeking to halt their skid.