Northwestern University Athletics
Men's Hoops Falls in OT to No. 15 Indiana
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
February 13, 1999
EVANSTON, Ill. - Freshman David Newman hit six three-pointers and All-America candidate Evan Eschmeyer notched his 13th double-double of the year with 12 points and 14 rebounds, but 15th-ranked Indiana held on to defeat Northwestern in overtime on Saturday afternoon, 69-62. The game was played before a standing-room-only crowd of 8,117, the first sellout of the season in Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats fall to 14-8, 6-6 Big Ten. Indiana is now 19-8, 6-6 Big Ten.
The Wildcats held a 39-35 lead at halftime, continuing its run of never trailing at halftime this season in Welsh-Ryan Arena.
In the second period, Kirk Haston hit two free throws and followed in his own miss and then Recker lofted a 3-pointer to put Indiana up 59-57 with 5:10 remaining. Eschmeyer answered with a basket to tie it at 4:22.
Late in the half, Northwestern took a timeout with 27.4 seconds left during which officials conferred and watched a TV replay to determine how much time was left on the shot clock, a delay that lasted nearly 10 minutes. The shot clock was then changed from 23 seconds to 14 seconds and then put back to 21
Newman fell short on a runner in the lane with about six seconds to go, then raced to the other end and stole the ball from IU's A.J. Guyton before he could get off a shot, forcing overtime at 62-62. The Hoosiers would eventually win the game in the overtime period.
The Wildcats next game is Wed., Feb. 17, against Illinois. Tipoff in Welsh-Ryan Arena is 7 p.m.
Postgame Quotes
Indiana at Northwestern
February 13, 1999
Indiana Head Coach Bob Knight
On the win
This is a really, really good Northwestern basketball team. There were two games this week we had to win because we knew this would be difficult up here. We couldn't afford to lose Tuesday (to Purdue) and then lose up here.
Northwestern is a very well-coached team and the mark of any coach is what he gets out of what he has. There is not a single player in the Big Ten where one team has played to and from one guy as Eschmeyer. They're (NU) better now than when we played them in Bloomington. We have no chance playing Eschmeyer in standard defense.
On Eschmeyer's first half scoring
It seemed like he had about 20 at the half. If I'd known he had 10 (points) we might have stayed with [original] defense.
On his team's performance
We didn't put ourselves in a bad position. The best team didn't win. These two teams are equal. The team that scored the most points won today.
On Evan Eschmeyer
Eschmeyer has really quick feet. He is really a smart player. I wish we'd have been smart enough to recruit him.
Northwestern Head Coach Kevin O'Neill
On the game
We didn't shoot the ball well in the second half. They did a great job in the zone. Recker made a huge shot to tie it up. Their backs and our backs were against the wall and they executed.
On Eschmeyer fouling out
When we lost Eschmeyer it was hard for us to score. We weren't able to win without Eschmeyer in it.
On playing down the stretch
Young guys are going to be up and down this time of year. That's not an excuse. It's a fact. We're very much in the hunt (for an NCAA tournament bid). I feel confident we'll play well the rest of the way and at the Big Ten Tournament.
Northwestern Center Evan Eschmeyer
On Indiana's defense
They decided in the second half not to let me touch the ball. [My teammates have] pulled off big games without me scoring well and I thought they were going to do that. What really hurt us was (Indiana's) zone.
On the loss
We have to bounce back. This is in no way takes us out of NCAA contention.
On the crowd
The crowd was great. They should do this at every game.
On the Big Ten
Overall, we're the best conference in the country. We just keep beating each other and nobody moves up (in the standings).
