Written by
The Sports Network
Champaign, IL (Sports Network) - John Shurna went 11-of-15 from the field on
his way to a game-high 24 points to lead the Northwestern Wildcats to a 74-70
triumph over their in-state rival Illinois Fighting Illini in Big Ten
Conference action at Assembly Hall.
Reggie Heard knocked down 4-of-5 from three-point range to add 20 points for
the Wildcats (14-8, 4-6 Big Ten). Dave Sobolewski chipped in 14 points, Drew
Crawford had 13 points, and Alex Marcotullio had seven rebounds in
Northwestern's second-straight win.
Brandon Paul scored a team-high 22 points for Illinois (16-7, 5-5), while
Meyers Leonard just missed a double-double with 21 points and nine rebounds.
Joseph Bertrand contributed 12 points in the losing effort.
Northwestern took a 36-33 advantage into the intermission after it shot 55.6
percent from the field and drained 6-of-13 from three-point range in the
opening period. The Fighting Illini shot an impressive 59.1 percent from the
floor, but still trailed by three at the half after going 2-of-5 from the
charity stripe.
Illinois rallied and took control as it led 49-45 with 9:39 left to play.
After the conference foes traded baskets for a few possessions, Crawford put
the Wildcats up 58-56 with five minutes to go, and they would hang onto the
lead until the final buzzer sounded. Northwestern shot a net scorching 66.7
percent from the field in the final 20 minutes of the contest.
Northwestern outscored the Fighting Illini 36-24 in the paint en route to the
victory.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network