Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Illinois-Chicago
Wildcats Fall To Illinois-Chicago, 70-53
12/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 19, 2002
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EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) - Cedrick Banks came off the bench to hit his first five jump shots and score 31 points -- 20 in the first half -- to lead Illinois-Chicago to a 70-53 victory over Northwestern Thursday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
The Flames won their third straight to improve to 5-2. Northwestern, which was playing its second game in as many nights, fell to 5-3.
"This is probably about the best I have seen us play," said UIC head coach Jimmy Collins. "Our guys got up mentally for the game. They were prepared for a war, and they continued to work toward winning."
Northwestern fell victim to a slow start, allowing UIC to score the first eight points of the game. The Wildcats clawed back into the game and actually took the lead with the next nine points, but then Banks checked in offensively and effectively ended the contest.
Banks scored 13 consecutive points for a personal 13-3 run over the 'Cats, pushing Illinois-Chicago's lead up to 21-12. Northwestern would never get closer than eight after that, and in the second half the Wildcats cut the deficit to single digits only once, at 36-28, when T.J. Parker hit a jumper to start the stanza.
"They never really lost control of the game," said NU head coach Bill Carmody. "Banks came in and started knocking down some shots, and they just controlled the game the rest of the way. UIC is a good team and a good program."
Banks hit 7-of-8 field goals in the first half en route to his 20 points.
After Parker's trey to start the second half, Illinois-Chicago reeled off the next 14 points to put the game out of reach. Banks again led the blitz, hitting a 3-pointer from the corner to give the Flames a 50-28 lead with 12:35 left.
Northwestern (5-3) could only get within 12 after that, when freshman Evan Seacat hit three free throws to make it 57-45 with 5:28 left.
Illinois-Chicago completely dominated Northwestern on the glass, outrebounding the Wildcats 42-15 including 13 offensive boards.
"All year we have been rebounding the ball well," said Collins. "Our guys are blocking out and they are quick and aggressive to the ball."
Seacat came off the bench to lead Northwestern in scoring with 16 points, all in the second half. Parker added 15 for his seventh straight game in double digits.
"Seacat can shoot," said Carmody. "I am trying to bring him along and get him in there. He opened my eyes a little bit tonight."
Joe Scott had nine points for UIC and Armond Williams had 11 rebounds.
Northwestern is back in action on Sunday, hosting Fordham at Welsh-Ryan Arena in its last game before Christmas. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m.
