By Danny Daly

Entering Tuesday night’s game, both Marquette and Northwestern had been led by offenses that featured one dominant player.

Amy Jaeschke, the Wildcats’ sophomore center, had averaged 16.3 points and 11.5 rebounds in NU’s first six games and topped the team in both categories by substantial margins. For the Golden Eagles, senior guard Krystal Ellis had scored 16.0 points per game in Marquette’s first seven contests, including 23 points in her last two outings. She also led the team with 1.86 steals per game.

So it is not hard to see why Marquette circled Jaeschke as the player they needed to contain to stop NU’s attack, and why the Cats did the same to Ellis. The key to the Golden Eagles’ 55-54 win was that Ellis turned it on when it counted, scoring her team’s last nine points to give Marquette the come-from-behind victory.

Jaeschke, on the other hand, did not take a shot from the field after sinking a jumper with 14:16 remaining in regulation.

“That’s a hard one to lose because we played so well,” NU coach Joe McKeown said. “Our biggest thing is not to beat ourselves right now, that’s what we got to avoid. We have to learn how to do that, make people have to play great to beat us.”

NU’s defense clamped down on Ellis from the get-go, causing Marquette’s high-powered offensive attack to sputter. The star guard was held without a shot for the first six minutes of the game and made just one of five from the floor in the first half. No one stepped up in her place — her five points were still tied for the team lead with 20 minutes left to play.

“Just knowing where Krystal Ellis was on the floor was really important to us,” Jaeschke said. “We knew she was one of their go-to players.”

Before intermission the Golden Eagles turned the ball more than 14 times, shot just 28 percent and were held to 20 points, their lowest output in a half to date. Usually that represents 10 minutes of work for Marquette rather than 20, considering how the team has been averaging 79.9 points per game.

As far as defending Jaeschke went, the Golden Eagles made it clear early on that they would not let her beat them. Marquette started a small lineup, with four guards and no one taller than 6-feet to guard NU’s 6-foot-5 center.

The Marquette defense double- and triple-teamed Jaeschke every time she touched the ball, swarming around her and forcing her to give it up right away.

But Jaeschke’s supporting cast picked up the slack. The Cats shot 57.1 percent in the first half, including four of eight from beyond the arc. Jaeschke still managed to score six points and grab six boards. Every player who saw action had scored, and NU held a commanding 34-20 lead going into the break.

“We played great defense,” McKeown said. “We really knocked them off their game, and we were able to move the ball, make shots, keep the floor spread. The things that got us that lead we kind of got away from in the second half.”

The beginning of the second half looked like more of the same. With nine minutes left, Jaeschke had taken only two shots and Ellis had been held scoreless, missing both of her field goal tries.

That is when Marquette’s senior guard took over the game. She scored her first basket of the half on a layup with 8:33 to go and went on to score 13 of the game’s last 25 points.

“I don’t think we got to her early enough defensively where we could stay in front of her,” McKeown said. “She got a head of steam, she’s pretty good at changing direction, and what are you going to do? She’s a good player. And good players make plays at the end of the game.”

The Cats were not able to get the ball inside to Jaeschke at all during the game’s waning minutes. She had minimal touches and no shots while Ellis went on her run.

McKeown attributed Jaeschke’s lack of production to the aggressive play of Marquette’s defense late in the game.

“They were really physical,” McKeown said. “I thought our team did a good job of playing off of (Jaeschke) early, then in the second half just didn’t make shots, didn’t get to the basket like we wanted to. Marquette was real physical the last three or four minutes defensively, and we didn’t handle it well.”

danieldaly2012@u.northwestern.edu

Northwestern and Marquette are locked into a tight battle through the first part of hte first half. Both teams have taken turns in the lead as they have both looked to push the ball. Right now NU leads 16-12 with 11:38 to go.

At first it led to some sloppy play. The teams have combined for 12 turnovers — the Wildcats forcing eight. NU has taken advantage of Marquette’s mistakes scoring eight points off turnovers.

The offense is starting to find its rhythm as the Cats have gotten the ball to Amy Jaeschke more. Jaeschke has only two points, but her presence is being felt on the court. The Golden Eagles have decided to double her when she catches the ball and she has found some open teammates for midrange jumpers.

Marquette is starting to get some shots off after they struggled protecting the ball and handling NU’s press. The Cats will have to keep the pressure up and continue to force turnovers to stay ahead in this game.

They have done a good job containing scoring threat Krystal Ellis. Ellis has only hit one shot and scored three points so far.

Northwestern split a pair of weekend home games at the DoubleTree White Invitational. The Wildcats (2-4) have been anchored by sophomore center Amy Jaeschke who is averaging 16.3 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game.

She has been helped recently by junior forward Kristin Cartwright. Cartwright has averaged 15.3 points per game in her last three outings — including scoring a career-high 16 twice in the last three games.

NU faces a tough test tonight in Marquette (5-2). The Golden Eagles have lost their last two games after taking their first five, including a 76-71 loss to No. 15 Virginia on Saturday. Guard Krystal Ellis is averaging 16.0 points per game.

Last season, Jaeschke returned from injury and led the Cats to an upset 65-63 victory on the road against the Golden Eagles. Jaeschke scored 21 points and blocked Ellis’ shot with little time remaining to secure a one-point lead and the win.

Keys to the Game

1. Contain Krystal Ellis- Ellis may have missed the go-ahead basket in last year’s meeting in Milwaukee, but she is still a huge threat on the floor. Ellis had 30 points and 10 rebounds when the two teams faced off last year. She is still a huge focus for the offense and opposing defenses. NU’s new defense will be put to the test tonight against one of the best scorers they will probably see all season. The Cats will need to force the guard away from the basket, taking her off the glass and off the scoreboard.

2. Serve a healthy diet of Amy Jaeschke- no reason not to continue with what works. Jaeschke had a career game last year in her first game after an injury. Jaeschke should be a dominant force in the post again. If she can have another career night, she will not only be helping herself but also freeing up space for her teammates.