EVANSTON, Illinois — No. 21 Northwestern (8-2, 6-2 B1G) defeated in-state rival Illinois (2-8, 0-6 B1G) 73-54 Thursday night behind a stout defensive performance and Lindsey Pulliam’s best game of the season to extend its winning streak to four straight games.
After a quiet past couple of games, Pulliam had a standout day for the Wildcats with season-high 28 points. Veronica Burton added 15 points as well as six rebounds, six assists and a season-high seven steals, and Sydney Wood scored 10 points, all of which came in the first half.
Neither team started the game particularly strong on the offensive end, but the two battled on the defensive side.