Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Savannah State
Defense Guides Wildcats Past Savannah State, 68-58
12/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 1, 2007
EVANSTON, Ill. -
A staunch Northwestern defense forced 32 Savannah State turnovers as the Wildcats snapped a two-game losing skid with a 68-58 victory Saturday afternoon at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Senior guard Jason Okrzesik led NU with a career-high 18 points.
Northwestern (2-4) turned the Tigers' miscues into 30 points. The 32 turnovers were the most by an NU opponent during head coach Bill Carmody's eight seasons at the helm.
Savannah State (5-6) jumped on the Wildcats early, going ahead 11-4 to start the game. Northwestern would use a 13-4 run to take a 17-15 advantage, but Joseph Flegler's running 3-pointer as the first half expired allowed the visitors to take a 28-24 lead into the intermission.
After forcing 12 first-half turnovers, NU kept the intensity up out of the break. Savannah State gave the ball away 11 more times in the first seven minutes of the second half as the Wildcats opened the half on a 16-2 run to pull ahead 40-30. Jeff Ryan scored seven points during the decisive spurt.
The Tigers managed to hang within striking distance, though. Two free throws by Okrzesik gave Northwestern a 62-55 lead with 1:32 left before Anthony Jones answered right back on the other end by hitting a 3-pointer and drawing a foul.
However, Jones missed the ensuing free throw and Craig Moore nailed a trey with the shot clock winding down and just 48 seconds left to seal the win for the Wildcats.
Moore enjoyed a stellar all-around game, recording 12 points, six assists and seven steals. Michael Thompson added 12 points and Ryan had 11 to also finish in double figures for NU.
Jones had a game-high 21 points for Savannah State which held a 37-15 rebounding edge but could not overcome 20 second-half turnovers.
Northwestern finished 18-of-26 from the free throw line compared to just 8-of-11 for the Tigers. The Wildcats finished with 51.2 percent (22-43) shooting from the field, including 61.9 percent (13-21) in the second half.
NU will have a quick turnaround before hosting Arkansas State at 7 p.m. Monday at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
