Northwestern lost a five-set Senior Night thriller to Rutgers, falling 3-2 after surrendering a late lead in the fourth set. Bella Bullington and Campbell Paris each had 19 kills, but Rutgers closed out the decisive set to hand the Wildcats their 12th straight Big Ten loss.

By the Numbers
  • Final score: Rutgers 3, Northwestern 2 (23-25, 25-22, 25-23, 24-26, 15-12).
  • Northwestern: 7-16 overall, 0-12 in Big Ten play; Rutgers: 11-13, 2-10.
  • Bullington and Paris: 19 kills each; Paris hit .326.
  • Ellie Stiernagle: 46 assists and 12 digs, her seventh double-double this season.
  • Five Wildcats reached double figures in digs; Stiernagle also surpassed 800 assists for the season.
Yes, But

Northwestern rallied from a seven-point deficit to take the third set and led by as many as five in the fourth. But after reaching match point, the Wildcats gave up five straight points, allowing Rutgers to force a fifth set and seize the momentum.

What's Next

Northwestern travels to the Pacific Northwest next weekend, visiting Washington on Friday at 9 p.m. CT and Oregon on Sunday at 8 p.m. CT. Both matches will stream on B1G+.

Bottom Line

The Wildcats showed they can battle back, but closing out tight sets remains the difference between a near-upset and a win as Big Ten play continues.