Northwestern Routs Lewis 71-39 in Exhibition
Carla Berube earns her first win as Northwestern women's basketball coach in a Friday exhibition at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Basketball
Northwestern defeated Lewis 71-39 in an exhibition game Friday at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The result was Carla Berube's first win as Northwestern coach, with the Wildcats leading 20-6 after the first quarter.
Why it matters
The win gives Berube an initial mark as Northwestern's coach ahead of the regular season, which opens Tuesday at home against Milwaukee. The performance offers an early look at a roster with seven new players and five new coaching staff members.
Casey Harter led Northwestern with 24 points on 9-for-18 shooting, including 4-for-8 from beyond the arc, while Camdyn Nelson added eight assists. The 32-point margin came from a team that outscored Lewis in all four quarters, though the exhibition format limits direct comparison to regular-season play.
The players
Carla Berube
Berube is the head coach of Northwestern's women's basketball program, recording her first win with the Wildcats in this exhibition.
Casey Harter
Harter is a Northwestern guard who led the team with 24 points in the exhibition win over Lewis.
The details
Northwestern opened the scoring with a three-pointer from Casey Harter, assisted by Camdyn Nelson, and led 35-20 at halftime and 51-26 after three quarters. Lily Carmody scored 15 points and Jasmyn Cooper-Derba added 10 points and five rebounds.
Timeline
Friday: Northwestern defeats Lewis 71-39 in exhibition play at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Tuesday: Northwestern opens its regular season at home against Milwaukee.
Season Trajectory
Northwestern begins its season with a first-year head coach and a largely rebuilt roster, with seven newcomers and five new staff members. The exhibition result gives an initial reading on that transition before regular-season games begin Tuesday against Milwaukee.
The Wildcats' opener Tuesday against Milwaukee is the next game on the schedule and the first chance to see how the new lineup performs against regular-season competition. Fans tracking the roster can watch how Harter and Nelson handle expanded roles with the team's seven newcomers.
The takeaway
The exhibition win is an early marker for a first-year coaching staff and a roster in transition. The real test comes against regular-season opponents beginning Tuesday.
What happens next
Northwestern opens its regular season Tuesday at home against Milwaukee.
Further reading
For more on the program's season, see Basketball coverage.
