Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Host Ohio State Tonight at Welsh-Ryan
3/5/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
March 5, 2003
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EVANSTON, Ill. - They say that the month of March comes in like a lion, and a quick peek outside proves the adage true once again in 2003.
The Northwestern men's basketball team did not need Tuesday's snowstorm to know that they have had quite enough of Lions, thank you. The Wildcats tipped off this new month by hosting Penn State Saturday here at Welsh-Ryan, and the result was a riveting, 85-79 double-overtime victory that was not secure until the final seconds.
Aside from the fact that the win locked up 10th place for Northwestern in the Big Ten standings and that seeding for the upcoming Big Ten Tournament, Saturday's win provided a chance to give an early testimonial to the Wildcats' senior trio of Winston Blake, Jason Burke and Aaron Jennings.
Playing their penultimate game at Welsh-Ryan, the threesome pulled the 'Cats out of the fire by scoring 18 of NU's 20 points in the two extra sessions. Of particular note was the play of Jennings, who rebounded from a three-point performance in regulation to score 12 overtime points.
The hope, of course, is that the burst was not premature; tonight is Senior Night, after all, and any good showman will tell you to leave your audience want-ing more when you step off the stage after your encore, not before it.
Tonight is also Fan Appreciation Night at Welsh-Ryan, as Northwestern thanks its loyal followers one final time in 2002-03.
GAME 26 -- Northwestern (11-14, 3-11) vs. Ohio State (13-12, 6-8)
Date/Time: Wednesday, March 5, 2003/6 p.m. CST
Site: Welsh-Ryan Arena (Evanston)
Capacity: 8,117
Television: ESPN Plus (WYIN in Chicago)
(Wayne Larrivee, PBP; Bill Hosket, analyst)
Radio: WGN 720 AM (also on wgnradio.com)
(Dave Eanet, PBP; Bob Hildebrand, analyst)
The Fun Fact: The last time NU played Ohio State, on Feb. 1 in Columbus, the Wildcats shot 36 three-point shots which shattered the previous school record; the old mark of 32 was set on Dec. 8, 2001 vs. Kansas State. Northwestern hit 10 of their shots beyond the arc vs. the Buckeyes.
