Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Seton Hall
Northwestern Downs Seton Hall, 53-44
12/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 18, 2004
Box Score
Coach Carmody postgame quotes in PDF Format
Coach Orr postgame quotes in PDF Format
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EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) - Vedran Vukusic scored 14 points on his 22nd birthday as Northwestern defeated Seton Hall 53-44 at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
"It is good to win," said NU head coach Bill Carmody. "I am happy that we defended the ball better. Our defense seems to be improving which is good to see."
Vukusic scored seven points in a decisive 8-0 Northwestern run in the second half, erasing a short-lived Pirates lead and securing the Wildcats' third straight win. Vukusic played all forty minutes for the second straight game and the third time in four contests; he also had seven rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks.
"Vedran hit a big three there after a timeout, after we had called a different play," said Carmody. "But he pulled it and hit it, and I really see him starting to get that 'big play feel' about him."
The Pirates shot just 28.6 percent from the field and made 4-of-18 three-pointers. No Seton Hall players scored in double figures.
"Seton Hall had some open looks that I think they normally knock down, but they have been struggling much the same way we have been struggling," said Carmody. "They are coming off exams and had to play on the road."Northwestern (4-4), contrary to Carmody's words, looked sharp for the third straight game, with just 10 turnovers and 14 assists on 19 baskets. The Wildcats shot 53.8 percent from the field in the second half -- hitting seven of just 13 field-goal attempts -- and 41.3 percent for the game, and also drained five of their 12 three-point shots. NU's only weakness, in fact, was at the free-throw line where they hit just 10-of-22 shots -- however, several of those makes came late when the game was on the line.
The Pirates (4-3) opened the game with two quick 3-pointers but missed their next six as the Wildcats erased SHU's 8-0 start to build a 29-22 halftime lead. In the second half, Seton Hall finally connected from outside when J.R. Morris and Donald Copeland hit consecutive treys to give Seton Hall a 37-36 lead with 9:22 left in the game.
Northwestern point guard T.J. Parker and Seton Hall center Grant Billmeier then traded baskets before Vukusic hit a layup and a three-pointer -- the 100th of his career -- to make it 43-39. After a Parker free throw, Vukusic snuck in to rebound a Davor Duvancic miss of a three-point shot to make it 46-39.
Seton Hall freshman Justin Cerasoli scored four straight points to keep the Pirates close, but Northwestern center Mike Thompson hit two free throws to begin a 7-of-10 parade from the line that closed out the win.
Thompson had 12 points and nine rebounds, and Parker had 13 points and four assists for the Wildcats. Mohamed Hachad had seven points and four assists, and was a menace defensively -- he finished with two steals, but was a presence all game.
For Seton Hall, Andre Sweet, Cerasoli, Copeland and Morris each had eight points to lead the way. One major factor in NU's win, however, was the defense against the Pirates' leading scorer, Kelly Whitney -- the Chicago product was just 2-of-15 from the field and finished with six points, almost 10 below his average.
NU is back in action Monday night, traveling to Arizona State to take on the Sun Devils at 7 p.m. (8 p.m. Central). The game will be broadcast by Fox Sports Net Arizona, and the live feed will also be broadcast on Fox Sports Chicago.
