Feb. 22--Maggie Lyon never makes eye contact with her parents during Northwestern basketball games. But she always knows they're there.
Bruce and Mary Alice Lyon have missed only one game in her four-year career. A flight to Nebraska was canceled during her sophomore season, and it was too late for them to drive to Lincoln.
"It has been awesome," Lyon said. "I love their support."
The New Trier product will suit up for her 103rd and final scheduled home game Tuesday when the Wildcats take on Michigan at 5:30 p.m. It has been an odd season for Northwestern, which rose to 12th in the national rankings in December but is now 15-13 and 4-12 in the Big Ten.
Lyon has remained one of the league's best, 13th in scoring at 17 per game and tied for 12th at 1.6 steals. She holds NU's all-time record for 3-pointers made (226).
She's also a fan favorite. On Valentine's Day, 15 (male) NU students showed up shirtless with body paint spelled out to read: MAGGIE LYON B MINE.
Turns out they were secret admirers, in a way.
"I looked at the picture afterwards and didn't recognize any of them," she said. "People were asking my boyfriend: 'Did you arrange that?' He said: 'I don't even know who they are.' But I think anytime you get student support, it's really exciting."
tgreenstein@tribpub.com
