Northwestern Tripped Up by Penn State, 68-55

Saturday, February 25

University Park, Pa.

2:30 PM

Northwestern

Penn State

Evan Seacat scored a career-high 18 points off the bench in the second half Saturday.

Northwestern Tripped Up by Penn State, 68-55

2/25/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Feb. 25, 2006

Box Score (PDF Format)
Download Free Acrobat Reader

Box Score

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Despite a career-high 18 points from senior Evan Seacat (pictured), the Northwestern Wildcats fell this afternoon to the Penn State Nittany Lions, 68-55. The loss puts the Wildcats at 13-13 with two home games remaining against Ohio State and Minnesota before the Big Ten Tournament in two weeks.

After trailing by as much as 16 early in the second, the Wildcats countered with Seacat who hit a career-high six 3-pointers-all in the second half-to pull the Wildcats within striking distance.

After Seacat's fourth 3-pointer pulled NU within 49-43, PSU's Mike Walker countered with nine straight points to fuel an 18-5 run that put the game out of reach.

Travis Parker and Geary Claxton each scored 14 points as the Nittany Lions made a living at the charity stripe.

Penn State scored 20 points from the free throw line (20-of-26), while Northwestern (13-13, 5-9) missed all three of its foul shots.

Penn State also got 11 points from Jamelle Cornley. Vedran Vukusic chipped in 15 for Northwestern. Tim Doyle added nine.

Penn State used its advantage in foul shots to pull away early, shooting 13-of-15 in the first half for a 35-25 lead at halftime.

The Wildcats are back in action this Wednesday at home against No. 13 Ohio State before ending the regular season at home Saturday against Minnesota. Both games are set for 7 p.m.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Notes:

Senior Vedran Vukusic finished with three 3-pointers, giving him 206 for his career. He now owns Northwestern's all-time record for career makes. He entered the game tied for first with Todd Leslie (203; 1989-94).

Vukusic also finished with 15 points, giving him 1,543 for his career, passing Cedric Neloms (1,533; 1991-95) for fifth place on NU's all-time scoring list.

Senior Evan Seacat enjoyed the best game of his career, He connected on six 3-pointers-all in the second half-and hit his first three attempts in a span of 2:30. He finished with career highs in points (18), field goals (6) and 3-point field goals (6).

Penn State went to the free throw line 26 times compared to just three for Northwestern.

Northwestern connected on 11 3-pointers, marking the 27th time in the Bill Carmody era the 'Cats have hit 10 or more in a game.

The 31 3-point attempts tied for the most this season. NU also shot 31 3's against DePaul (11/26/05).

Attendance: 11,005