Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Illinois
Wildcats Fall on the Road at Illinois 48-37
2/18/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Feb. 18, 2007
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Northwestern's offense struggled Sunday afternoon in a 48-37 loss at in-state rival Illinois. Tim Doyle and Kevin Coble each scored nine points to lead the Wildcats who managed only 15 points in the second half.
Northwestern trailed by just one at halftime and took a two-point lead right out of the half when Coble drilled a 3-pointer out of the corner. But the Wildcats made only 5-of-22 shots from the field after that.
The Wildcats turned in one of their better defensive efforts, holding the Illini to 48 points -- 18 below their average. They recorded eight steals and forced 14 turnovers.
Rich McBride hurt Northwestern with his outside shooting, connecting on five 3-pointers.
Illinois opened a nine-point lead on a layup from Brian Randle at the 7:24 mark in the second period. But Northwestern kept the pressure on, cutting lead back down to four on runner in the lane by Coble and a 3-pointer from Vince Scott with 5:24 left. However, NU managed just one more basket the rest of the way.
The Wildcats are back in action this Wednesday night against Texas Pan-American. Game time is 7 p.m. CT.
