Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
California All-Stars (exh.)
Men's Basketball Earns 57-53 Decision in Exhibition
11/8/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 8, 1999
EVANSTON, Ill. - Sophomore Steve Lepore (North Olmsted, Ohio/St. Edward) scored a game-high 28 points, including eight three-pointers, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked three shots to lead Northwestern to a 57-53 victory over the California All-Stars in the Wildcats' exhibition opener.
The All-Stars took advantage of poor shooting by the Wildcats to open a 10-2 lead in the game's first six minutes. Northwestern stormed back, hitting four three-pointers, three by Lepore, in a 12-2 run to take their first lead of the game 14-12, with 6:46 left in the half. Lepore finished the half with 16 points, including four three-pointers.
Northwestern scored the first five points of the second half, opening up a 28-23 lead, but they could not shake the All-Stars. After a Chivo Anderson three-pointer gave the All-Stars a 37-36 lead with eight minutes remaining, the 'Cats responded, going on an 11-2 run over the next three minutes to take their largest lead of the night, 47-39, on a pair of free throws by freshman Aaron Jennings (Atkins, Iowa/Benton Community).
The 'Cats sealed the game at the free throw line, converting 5-of-6 in the final 40 seconds.
Freshman Ben Johnson (Minneapolis, Minn./De La Salle) had 11 points, four rebounds and four assists for Northwestern.
