Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Creighton
Shurna, Thompson Lead Northwestern Past Creighton, 65-52
11/28/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 28, 2010
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Score: Northwestern 65, Creighton 52
Site: Welsh-Ryan Arena • Evanston, Ill.
Records: Northwestern (4-0), Creighton (4-2)
Up Next: vs. Georgia Tech • Tuesday, Nov. 30 • 6 p.m.
Tickets available at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE
EVANSTON, Ill. -- John Shurna recorded a game-high 23 points with six rebounds while Michael Thompson added 18 points as Northwestern shot 49 percent from the field to defeat Creighton 65-52 Sunday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
With the victory, the Wildcats improve to 4-0 on the season and now prepares to host Georgia Tech Tuesday night as part of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.
Shurna had the hot hand early on for NU, scoring seven of the team's first nine points. However, Kenny Lawson Jr. posted nine quick points of his own to help the Bluejays take a 15-12 advantage.
The contest was a back-and-forth affair until just beyond the midway point of the opening half. Holding a slim 26-24 lead, Northwestern used a 12-1 run over a span four minutes and 26 seconds to surge in front by 13.
The Wildcats would eventually take a 40-32 lead into halftime after out-scoring Creighton 26-12 in the paint over the opening 20 minutes of play, while shooting 56.7 percent (17-30) from the field. Shurna and Thompson led the way with 14 and 10 points, respectively.
The guests remaining within striking range as they trailed by only six points, 45-39, with 12 minutes to go. But a 10-point Northwestern surge put the game out of reach.
After Luka Mirkovic converted a pair of free throws, the Wildcats found Thompson wide open in front of the Northwestern bench for back-to-back 3-pointers. Following a stop of the defensive end, Thompson threw a perfect alley-oop to Shurna who slammed it home for his third dunk of the contest to make it 55-39 with 8:33 to go.
Creighton would get to within eight points with two minutes remaining, but a free throw by Shurna and a steal and slam by Drew Crawford sealed the victory for the Wildcats.
Northwestern limited the Bluejays to 7-of-25 shooting in the second half and 37.3 percent for the game. Shurna posted team highs of six rebounds and four assists to go along with his 23 points.
Antoine Young led Creighton with 18 points, despite shooting just 5-of-14 from the field. Lawson contributed 11 points and 12 rebounds.
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