Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Evansville
Northwestern Men's Basketball Downs Evansville, 68-52
12/22/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 22, 2000
CAROLINA, Puerto Rico (AP) - Winston Blake scored 16 points as Northwestern defeated Evansville, 68-52, on Friday to earn fifth place at the San Juan Shootout.
The game also exorcised some demons from a year ago for the Wildcats, who were humbled by the Purple Aces last year, 48-26. This time, NU tied a school record with 14 three-point baskets including four apiece from Blake and Collier Drayton. The 'Cats also committed just seven turnovers, its lowest total in that department since they committed six in a 71-51 win over Sam Houston State on Nov. 26, 1997.
After scoring just eight points in the entire first half during last year's meeting, the Wildcats (6-5) took control from the start this time around, scoring the game's first nine points and going up by 15 points, 21-6, in the first eight minutes. Evansville was the team struggling to find the basket this time around, going without a field goals in the final 9:31 of the half. A 3-pointer by Blake with 44 seconds left sent the Wildcats into the locker room with its biggest lead of the day, 39-18.
Evansville refused to go quietly, outscoring NU 14-5 to start the second half and drawing within 10 points with 2:45 to play. But the 'Cats scored the game's final six points to secure the victory. Drayton ended the game with 13 points, Ben Johnson had 12 with eight rebounds, and Ed McCants added 10. Junior center Tavaras Hardy had eight points and was named to the San Juan Shootout All-Tournament Team.
Evansville (5-6) was led by Craig Snow with 16 points, Dan Lytle with 15 and Kyle Runyan with 14.
