By: Caleigh Ryan

The Northwestern Wildcats (7-1) look to continue their winning ways on Sunday when they travel to Milwaukee to take on the Panthers (7-1) at 12 p.m. CST.

The Cats currently boast a four game winning streak, including a notable win on November 25 over then No. 16 Florida.  The latest victory in the streak came against Chicago State on Sunday, where every Northwestern player got in on the action in the 75-42 win.  

Northwestern’s lone loss came against DePaul (89-66), in a game that Nia Coffey did not participate in.  That loss was the purple and white’s only away game so far this season.  

Coffey broke a program record in the Cougar game after registering her 952nd career rebound.  The reigning Big Ten Player of the Week would go on to contribute 14 points and 12 rebounds in the win, good for her 5th double-double of the season.  Coffey also scored in double digits for the 56th consecutive game she has played in, dating back to Jan. 22, 2015.  If she scores in double digits against the Panthers of Milwaukee, she will break another program record for consecutive games scoring in double figures.

The Panthers are off to the team’s best start in program history, with their only loss coming in a double-overtime heartbreaker to Northern Illinois.  They are fresh off a 68-60 victory against Illinois State on Wednesday.  While the Redbirds outshot the Panthers (45% from the field, compared to 36.7%), the Panthers were able to capitalize with a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter to seal the game.  Milwaukee forced 25 Illinois State turnovers and also added 12 steals.

Alexis Lindstrom led all scorers with 14 points.  Steph Kostowicz, who was tabbed Horizon League Player of the Week on December 5, added 13 points and 10 rebounds, tallying her 5th double-double of the season.  The Panthers are also led by Sierra Washington-Ford, who has averaged 13.6 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game through the season.

These two teams met last year in Evanston where a stellar defensive effort by the Wildcats held the Panthers to shoot only 20.3% from the field.  The Cats would win the nonconference matchup, 69-44.  Northwestern forced Milwaukee into 21 turnovers, including eight steals by Ashley Deary alone.  

WNUR’s own Austin Miller and Caleigh Ryan will have the call for WNUR Sports from Klotsche Center on Sunday morning.  WNUR’s live coverage will begin at 11:45 a.m. CST and can be heard live over the air on 89.3 FM in Evanston or Chicago or online at wnursports.com.