Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Illinois
Men's Basketball Loses to Illinois, 63-30
2/19/2000 12:00:00β―AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 19, 2000
EVANSTON, Ill. - Illinois used a stifling defense to fuel a game-opening 23-0 run, and the Fighting Illini defeated Northwestern, 63-30, in men's basketball action at Welsh-Ryan Arena Saturday night. Northwestern fell to 5-20 (0-12 Big Ten) while Illinois improved to 17-7 (9-4 Big Ten).
Northwestern struggled offensively in the first half, and were held scoreless until freshman Aaron Jennings (Atkins, Iowa/Benton Community) converted a three-point play with 4:47 left. The Wildcats managed just six first-half points, a season low, and were down 30-6 in the break.
NU came to life in the second half, but could get no closer than 20 during the final stanza against the athletic Illini.
Jennings scored 10 points to lead the 'Cats. Classmate Brody Deren (Harlan, Iowa/Harlan) added seven. Sophomore Tavaras Hardy (Joliet, Ill./Providence) grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds for Northwestern, which outrebounded the Illini, 35-32.
