Caroline Lau had been searching for her offensive rhythm through Northwestern's first three games. On Tuesday night at Wintrust Arena, she found it—emphatically.

The senior point guard exploded for 20 points in Northwestern's 79-72 victory over DePaul, tying the second-highest scoring output of her career while orchestrating the offense with her trademark precision. It was a complete performance that showcased everything Lau is capable of when she balances her dual responsibilities as both facilitator and scorer — the exact formula Northwestern needs if it hopes to sustain its 4-0 momentum.

Through the first three games, Lau had averaged just 4.0 points per contest, including a scoreless outing in the season opener against IU Indy. Monday's performance proved that when Lau asserts herself as a scoring threat, Northwestern transforms into a far more dangerous team.

Starting Point of the Offense

From the opening tip, Lau catalyzed Northwestern's attack. She caught fire early, drilling a triple from the top of the key to answer DePaul's first basket. Moments later, she showcased her court vision by dribbling through the mid-circle, cruising downhill and dishing a perfectly timed pass to Grace Sullivan on the left post for an easy jumper.

That sequence set the tone for the Wildcats' dominant first half. Lau wasn't just looking to distribute; she was hunting her own shot while keeping teammates involved. Late in the first quarter, she capped a dominant period by draining a buzzer-beating three-pointer that gave Northwestern a commanding 29-15 lead entering the second frame.

Her impact extended beyond the box score. Lau drew a crucial charge in the second quarter that swung momentum back to the Wildcats when DePaul threatened to build a run. With two minutes remaining before halftime, she attacked the rim aggressively, drawing contact and converting two free throws to maintain Northwestern's cushion. Her willingness to be physical and force defenses to respect her as a scorer opened up opportunities across the entire roster.

Breaking Free From Full-Court Pressure

DePaul implemented aggressive full-court pressure throughout the game, attempting to speed up Northwestern's offense and force turnovers. But Lau systematically dismantled the Blue Demons' trap with poise and precision.

Her ability to escape pressure and find open teammates in transition became a defining factor. After Northwestern built a 17-point lead in the third quarter, Lau delivered a picturesque long pass through DePaul's press to an unmarked Sullivan under the rim for an uncontested layup. The Blue Demons' gambling defense left their territory wide open, and Lau capitalized on that vast space.

She orchestrated Sullivan's buzzer-beating layup at the end of the third quarter with a quick pick-and-roll that sliced through DePaul's defense, establishing a 67-48 lead heading into the final period.

Fourth-Quarter Heroics

Northwestern's 19-point third-quarter lead evaporated quickly in the fourth. The Wildcats went scoreless for over six minutes while DePaul mounted a furious comeback, eventually cutting the deficit to just four points. Northwestern was being outscored 24-12 in the period, and panic began to set in.

That's when Lau took over.

With 3:29 remaining and Northwestern desperately needing a basket to stop the bleeding, Lau found Sullivan in the paint for a crucial field goal that broke the scoring drought. The bucket restored breathing room and steadied Northwestern's frantic energy.

Minutes later, with DePaul still threatening, Lau delivered the dagger. Juking out double-team pressure, she powered into the paint and delivered another perfect pass to Sullivan on the left post. Sullivan banked the ball in to seal DePaul's comeback hopes.

Those two crucial assists to Sullivan represented exactly what Northwestern envisioned this season when building this season's roster around the duo’s leadership. When the game hung in the balance, Lau made the plays to spark Sullivan’s scoring.

Elite Efficiency

The statistics underscore just how dominant Lau was on Tuesday. According to HerHoopStats, she posted 1.05 points per play and 1.45 points per scoring attempt — both season-highs. Lau also played a season-high 37 minutes, never leaving the floor during crucial stretches.

Her nine assists also demonstrated that she simply found the balance that had eluded her through three games — and for much of last season. When DePaul’s defense collapsed on her drives, she found open teammates. When the Blue Demons sagged off to help elsewhere, she made them pay with outside shooting.

The Formula Forward

As outlined in her player preview, the more Lau scores, the more likely Northwestern wins games. She possesses the scoring pedigree — over 1,000 high school points, a 22-point-per-game average as a senior in high school, and tryouts for the USA U16 National Team. The talent has always been there. The question was whether she could keep up the fire.

The Monday’s victory provided the blueprint. Her aggressive scoring opened up passing lanes, leading to clutch playmaking in crunch time. Her leadership also kept Northwestern composed when momentum shifted.

If this version of Lau shows up consistently this season, Northwestern's ceiling will rise. The Wildcats don't need her to score 20 every night, but they need her willingness to attack more.

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